Personalize Learning (#plearnchat)

The Institute @ CESA #1 presents the fifth element in the Learning Independence Continum.  Independent learning is the promise we make to learners and one that we should keep.

 

"The last element, indeed, the ultimate goal is to create independent learners. Independent learners take responsibility for their motivation and growth, and are led by curiosity and the drive to build their knowledge and skills. Independent learners treat their learning as a prized possession that they must take care of, maintain, and cultivate. Independent learners understand when they need to learn more and are able to seek out the best methods and resources to accomplish this goal.

 

It makes sense that the end goal for education is a person who is proactive and able to anticipate their learning needs to understand a challenge or complete a task. As a nation and society, we need citizens and workers who are able to problem-solve, take initiative, be flexible and continue to learn. As long as learners are dependent on others to tell them when, what, and how to learn, they will never completely take charge of their learning fate and future. Unfortunately, our current education system places a heavy emphasis on dependence and compliance that too often works against the development of learning independence."

 

Thank you to The Institute @ CESA #1 for helping educators understand the process in the Learning Independence Continuum!

The Institute @ CESA #1 is introducing the stages of the Learning Independence Continuum in their blog following the release of the white paper, The Learning Independence Continuum.  In their first post they provide an overview with the remaining posts focusing on one of the stages of the continuum.

 

> Motivation

> Engagement

> Self-efficacy

> Ownership

> Independence

 

"In personalized learning environments, learning activities will fall all along this continuum – at times it’s more important for the educator to drive the work, at others, the learner will take the driver’s seat. However, in order for this to happen, all of the characteristics along the continuum should be developed and nurtured in each learner."

This is the second blog entry on Engagement from the white paper, The Learning Independence Continuum, published recently by the Institute @ CESA #1.

 

"Engagement is motivation in action.

 

Engaged learners are curious, committed and learn for a purpose. Learners who are engaged better retain what they learn, exhibit fewer behavior problems, and are more willing to participate in learning activities. There isn’t much need to build the argument for why we should strive to engage learners.

 

One of the ways to engage learners is to design tasks that are challenging – at the leading edge of the learner’s current ability. Learners who are constantly facing debilitating frustration and failure find it difficult to believe that they are actually able to be successful. Conversely, when learners are able to undertake these challenging tasks and accomplish them (because it is personalized and calibrated to their specific needs and readiness for learning) – they will begin to believe they can succeed with effort, good strategies and the correct resources.

 

This connection leads them toward the next element in the continuum: self-efficacy."