BUILDING LEARNING POWER  (based on work by Guy Claxton and others from the Centre For Real World Learning in Winchester, England.)

At St Joseph’s the teachers and learners like to use “learning muscles” to ensure that they work hard in order to achieve success. The way that learning happens in today’s schools differs from what most of the adults in the children’s lives experienced.

 

In the past, high stakes were put on the “19th century clerk model”:

•Being right
•Copying down
•Listening to teacher
•Accepting what you’re told
•Working alone
•Sitting still
•Remembering facts
•Showing deference
•Following instructions
•Being evaluated

Is our school  fit for the 21st century? Are the learning experiences, environment and styles preparing our children for a world in which there is there is a need to be a “21st century explorer”?

 

•Being adventurous
•Creating ideas
•Discussing with peers
•Questioning things
•Working with others
•Being active
•Imagining possible solutions
•Showing initiative
•Taking responsibility
•Self-evaluating

 I think that, at St Joseph’s, we are well on the journey to providing such a learning environment. We also recognise that it is a journey and we, along with the children, continue to work on continual improvement and development.