Introduction to Powerful Learning
This section aims to:
– Introduce the concept of powerful learning.
– Identify the add-on value and impact to the learning outcomes of the endorsement of powerful learning.
What is Powerful Learning?
Powerful Learning is personal and accessible, authentic and challenging, collaborative and connected, and inquisitive and reflective. These learning experiences provide opportunities for students to deeply engage in their learning while using technology in ways that contribute to closing the Digital Learning Gap.
Activity: Download and review the Powerful Learning Characterisitcs
Activity: Consider what is the best way for learning to have an impact on students?
Making learning impactful for learners
One way to make learning impactful is to go beyond the structure of the classroom to find this impact through what is called powerful learning.
The term Powerful learning comes from Will Richardson and relates to deep learning that requires a personal interest, and free learning with no limits. Furthermore, it provides passion, personal investment, and a connection to real-world applications.
Considering this opens up a dialogue on how educators should engage with learning in schools and elsewhere.
The autonomy of the educator to craft learning opportunities, align practices, and attempt to take learning beyond classroom walls is key to its implementation.
Inside the classroom, the divergent methods of experiential learning bring a powerful presence into the classroom.
Comparison to Experiential Learning
Powerful learning delves deeper into people’s epistemological boundaries which are tested and expanded.
Similarly, the role of experiential education relates closely to powerful learning.
Activity: Play this video which examines experiential learning
Prof. Philip Jackson outlined the relationship between powerful learning and experiential education by describing the day-to-day process of learning as it is connected to the life of the student.
Furthermore, outlining the classroom as more than a physical environment, rather an educational social atmosphere allows students to connect and engage in learning, rather than just take part in the process of classwork.
Similarities can be found between the concept of powerful learning and experiential learning when attempting to expand learning beyond the classroom walls, both literally and theoretically.
Click image to enlarge
Sources:
1. Theories of Individual and Collective Learning – 3.2 Powerful Learning (Clayton Smith and Carson Babich) https://ecampusontario.pressbooks.pub/ticl/chapter/3-2-powerful-learning/
2. Richardson, W. (2015). From master teacher to master learner. Solution Tree Press.
3. Jackson, P. (1990). The daily grind. In Flinders, D. J., & Thornton, S. J., The curriculum studies reader. Routledge, (pp. 33-50). http://gayleturner.net/The_Daily_Grind.pdf
“There are several ways powerful learning is practical and relatable. Examples can be found in teachers’ expectations of content compared to student realities of content.”
Source: Ambrose, S. A., Bridges, M. W., DiPietro, M., Lovett, M. C., & Norman, M. K. (2010). How learning works: Seven research-based principles for smart teaching. Jossey-Bass.