Topic outline

  • Learners Leading Learning

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    Welcome, teachers! In this micro course, we will explore the powerful concept of Learners Leading Learning, offering insights on how this approach benefits both students and educators alongside some suggested strategies. By the end of this journey, you'll be equipped to create a more dynamic and student-centered classroom, where learners thrive and take ownership of their learning.

  • Section 1: Student-Centered Learning

     

    In this section, we will introduce the concept of Learners Leading their own learning and its importance within our classrooms today.

  • Section 2: Strategies for Learners Leading Learning

    In this section we outline some strategies for creating a classroom culture which fosters an environment where pupils are active and engaged learners and some suggested teaching strategies which enable learners to lead their own learning. 

  • Case Studies

  • Further Reading

  • Knowledge Check

  • Professional Enquiry

    Here are some ideas for professional enquiry focused on Student-led learning within the classroom. You may wish to choose 2 to focus on within your classroom.

    By engaging with these tasks, you’ll build a deeper understanding of student-led learning and its transformative potential for both students and teachers.

    • 1: Explore and Reflect on the Concept

      Objective: Understand the foundational principles and benefits of Learners Leading Learning within your learning context.
      Instructions:

      1. Read and Reflect: Summarise the key principles of learner-led learning as outlined in Section 1. Highlight two benefits that resonate with you and think about why they are significant in your teaching context.
      2. Optional - Discussion: Collaborate with a colleague or team to discuss the barriers and opportunities of implementing this approach in your classroom or school.
      3. Actionable Insight: Develop a brief plan on how you might start fostering student agency in your lessons (e.g., small changes like choice in assignments or topics).

      2: Design Authentic Assessment Strategies

      Objective: Develop meaningful ways to evaluate student learning in a student-led environment.
      Instructions:

      1. Assessment Creation: Design an assessment task that reflects at least one authentic strategy (e.g., a portfolio, performance task, or project). For example, outline how students might create a portfolio that tracks their learning progress over a term.
      2. Optional - Peer Feedback: Share your assessment design with a colleague and gather feedback on its feasibility and potential impact on student engagement and growth.
      3. Self-Reflection: Reflect on how this assessment differs from traditional assessments you’ve used and how it might support deeper learning.

      3: Integrate Technology into Student-Led Learning

      Objective: Explore tools and platforms to enhance learner agency and collaboration.
      Instructions:

      1. Research Tools: Choose one tool or platform such as Google Classroom, Padlet, or Adobe Express, Interactive Google Slides. Investigate its features and how it can be used to support learners in leading their learning journey.
      2. Implementation Plan: Create a mini-plan for integrating this tool into a lesson or project. For instance, design an activity where students use Padlet to brainstorm and organize their ideas during an inquiry-based project.
      3. Reflection: After using the tool, assess its impact on student engagement and collaboration. What worked well, and what would you improve?

      4: Implement a Learners Leading Learning Strategy

      Objective: Apply and evaluate a practical approach from the strategies you have learned about.
      Instructions:

      1. Choose a Strategy: Select one practical strategy from Section 2 (e.g., project-based learning or cooperative learning). Outline how you will implement this in your classroom, detailing the steps and expected outcomes.
      2. Facilitation: Execute the activity in your class, actively observing how students engage with and lead their learning.
      3. Evaluation: Write a brief evaluation of the experience. Include student feedback, your observations, and insights on how you might refine the activity in the future.
      4. Share Your Experience: Present your findings to a teacher group or in a professional learning community, highlighting successes and challenges.