Principle #3: Self-Determined Learning

Thanks to the push for standards in education, the Modern Learning’s third principle which states, “Modern Schools have cultures where personal, self-determined learning is at the center of student and teacher work” is more challenging to meet.  However, standards don’t eliminate this idea and still should play an important role in education as stated in this 2017 post.   At the same time, I do believe there is a way to incorporate more self-determined learning within schools in the form of choice.

   Certainly as parents we believe self-determination is the goal for our kids and similarly in schools teachers work with young people with self-determination in mind. (see also Reminder to Self: Self Determination is the Goal).  However, when school is combined with standards this is where the art of teaching comes in to play and demonstrates teaching is not rocket science.  It is actually much harder.  Physics makes rocket science complicated, working with young human beings makes teaching complex.  Complex is always more challenging than complicated because it comes with unpredictability. That is why teachers must not rest on good teaching, but continue to hone their skill (see also Red Queen Effect) in order to meet all young peoples’ needs .  Where principle #3 comes in to play is that "working to improve" does not necessarily mean to improve your teaching (though it can’t hurt), but instead to work to be a better learner.  In an Apprenticeship for Learning I mentioned that “Learners beget Learners.”  That means if we want our young people to be learners, we (all educators) need to be learners ourselves.  We have to ask ourselves if our school supports a teaching culture or a learning culture? The former is more traditional, but the latter is more applicable for what young people need today.