"On a warm morning in spring, we walk into the cozy elementary school in Emmen. We are here for the third time, this time to play the game 'This is my school' with students as well. After all, who better to tell how learning goes best than the students themselves? We have already played the game with the whole team during a study day, as a kick-off activity for the theme 'ownership of learning'."
Ownership of learning; everywhere in education, its importance is being increasingly noted. After all, students who are allowed to take more ownership of their learning enjoy learning more, are more motivated and have a more positive self-image.
First of all, it is important to agree together on what we mean by terms such as 'ownership', 'personalized learning' and 'insight into one's own learning process'. What do we mean by this and are we actually speaking the same language as a team?
It is not an easy task to set out an appropriate roadmap and put it into the sometimes unruly and complicated practice. But through a guided game session as a starting activity and a verbal and graphic analysis of choices that emerge during the game, at least much more becomes clear: "Where are we now and where do we want to go?
Nice to see how during game sessions with teachers, parents and students, very valuable conversations about desirable changes and steps emerge.
A session usually lasts 3 hours, in which the first round theses of HERE & NOW are played and discussed and then a second round with statements for the FUTURE. In between, the different types of schools are discussed and at the end we reflect and take stock. Where are we now and where do we want to go together for the future.
The game is a conversation tool that gives the opportunity to think along and give direction, following the 6 statements that relate to the desired level and form of ownership of learning - from student learning and teacher action to collaboration with colleagues and forms of leadership. All these aspects can quietly pass the review, to gain insight into everyone's perception of their own school HERE & NOW and about the best suited learning climate in the FUTURE.
Ownership across the board
Experience in many schools shows that students who experience ownership learn with more pride, joy and responsibility, and this often leads to better results as well. Teachers generally find it an attractive prospect: more motivated students making their own decisions. But they often don't realize the adjustments this requires in their own actions. After all, teachers need to start coordinating conditions within which students can fall and stand up and take responsibility, and, together with colleagues, draw a clear through-line in this.
Eership of teachers
So the game and the SOL study days are not only about ownership of learning for students and to what extent and in what way that fits within your school. The conversations are also about teacher ownership. What you always do together is tune in: where are we going, where are we now, what is the state of play? What is our approach and through-line for our students, whom we guide in their learning process for 8 years together. How do you, as a team, create a structure within which students can see what works for them and what doesn't, where insight into themselves grows and they are better prepared for the big step to Secondary Education.
From systematic to incremental
If the inventory of shared beliefs, or the school's multi-year vision shows that "ownership of learning" is a key focus, the complex practice comes around the corner; how do you put this into practice, with goals for preschoolers that are gradually built and expanded during the eight years at school? How do you convert everyone's expertise and good practices into shared policies that lead to greater self-direction and understanding of students' own learning?
SOL & Remind Learning Foundation (Sol).is present at NOT, you will find them in hall 1 at booth number F100.
Surely you will come to the NOT? Register here for free admission.
