The Basics of Learning Experiences: What Are They?
The general definition of a learning experience can include any thing or any time a student stumbles upon some new knowledge or information which can be gained. By this definition, a student or child can have numerous learning experiences a day, with some being more in depth and others barely scratching the surface of the endless pieces of information that are available on that content. This learning experience does not have to occur within the school, since there are opportunities for learning in all places. While this definition is not necessarily wrong--some professionals actually prefer this carefree learning to formal schooling--it does not have the same meaning as the type of learning experiences I am referring to.
A learning experience is essentially a lesson which actively engages students to higher order critical thinking, preparing them for awareness of global competency and 21st century skills. I can create a learning experience by addressing several key points within a lesson plan such as launching, exploring, and applying skills to reach an attainable and measureable goal at the end of the lesson. Learning experiences can be classified as entire lessons that last a long period of time, or smaller lessons that will later fit into a bigger picture.
A learning experience is essentially a lesson which actively engages students to higher order critical thinking, preparing them for awareness of global competency and 21st century skills. I can create a learning experience by addressing several key points within a lesson plan such as launching, exploring, and applying skills to reach an attainable and measureable goal at the end of the lesson. Learning experiences can be classified as entire lessons that last a long period of time, or smaller lessons that will later fit into a bigger picture.
Above is a website I found which gives a little bit of insight as to what learning experiences are, and how they can be achieved. While it does not necessarily pertain to the classroom environment (rather, it discusses a more work-friendly scenario), it makes use of some bolded key words and gives tips that can be adapted and applied for classroom use and teacher understanding.
Are Learning Experiences Worth It?
As a teacher, I must use learning experiences within the classroom setting so that students can gain meaning from their lessons. Simply planning a lesson that does not engage students, and does not allow them to actively explore other mediums and apply the knowledge towards a goal is not going to challenge the students and prepare them for global awareness and global competency.
In other words, learning experiences are important because they allow students to expand their learning and apply it to other settings. Being taught the value of learning through hands-on activities and being given opportunities to use their learning will not only make the target activity fun, but students will also be learning valuable skills in the process of doing so. These skills will help them in other activities, whether they are inside or outside of the classroom.
In other words, learning experiences are important because they allow students to expand their learning and apply it to other settings. Being taught the value of learning through hands-on activities and being given opportunities to use their learning will not only make the target activity fun, but students will also be learning valuable skills in the process of doing so. These skills will help them in other activities, whether they are inside or outside of the classroom.
Learning experiences can take a normal lesson and make it into something almost magical for the students to experience. They are never boring and must always be created with the needs of the students in mind. Too often, students dread coming to school because they are constantly presented with different information, but in the same format of a normal and bland lesson.
The picture on the left shows a popular idea that students may have on how learning is boring. Of course, if there is no excitement in the lesson and no active engagement, students cannot be expected to be excited about coming to school. In this way, they are not learning the proper value of learning because they are not actively engaged in the activities or the content. Essentially, students are deceived into believing that learning is not useful and can never be something to look forward to. The presence of effective learning experiences can help reverse this.
As a teacher, it is up to me to provide students with a meaningful school day and create learning experiences which foster knowledge. By being attentive to learning experiences and trying to make the most of them from the perspective of an educator, students can come to find that learning can be fun. As the picture on the right shows, learning experiences can also help boost the perspectives on learning of the students because they provide them with a chance to think critically by avoiding the monotony of unoriginal lessons and providing experiences to better themselves.
The picture on the left shows a popular idea that students may have on how learning is boring. Of course, if there is no excitement in the lesson and no active engagement, students cannot be expected to be excited about coming to school. In this way, they are not learning the proper value of learning because they are not actively engaged in the activities or the content. Essentially, students are deceived into believing that learning is not useful and can never be something to look forward to. The presence of effective learning experiences can help reverse this.
As a teacher, it is up to me to provide students with a meaningful school day and create learning experiences which foster knowledge. By being attentive to learning experiences and trying to make the most of them from the perspective of an educator, students can come to find that learning can be fun. As the picture on the right shows, learning experiences can also help boost the perspectives on learning of the students because they provide them with a chance to think critically by avoiding the monotony of unoriginal lessons and providing experiences to better themselves.
Creating Learning Experiences: Which Method to Choose?
Now that I know why learning experiences are worth implementing and using in the classroom, how can I go about creating a learning experience through a lesson plan?
The simplest way for me to make sure they are addressing the proper skills and content points needed to create an effective learning experience is to make sure they are following a guide, which goes through each point and aspect that is required. This does not necessarily even have to be a formal checklist--anything which highlights the important points of an effective learning experience, and how I can implement them into the lesson plan.
There is no right or wrong way to approach creating a learning experience. Below are some examples and some tips on how to get started:
The simplest way for me to make sure they are addressing the proper skills and content points needed to create an effective learning experience is to make sure they are following a guide, which goes through each point and aspect that is required. This does not necessarily even have to be a formal checklist--anything which highlights the important points of an effective learning experience, and how I can implement them into the lesson plan.
There is no right or wrong way to approach creating a learning experience. Below are some examples and some tips on how to get started:
The Cycle Approach
I found this great picture online of how I should go about creating engaging lessons. While this is not necessarily pertaining specifically to the learning experiences I am referring to (I discuss the achievement of students within a learning experience), the skills and steps that are outlined here are still vital, and this can still be a good base in a lesson plan that can be used to build upon, eventually creating a learning experience.
The Innovation Approach
The article discusses several key points I can address to create a more learning-friendly environment, which can bring the most out of learning experiences in general. I really like how it breaks down the different ways as phrases as opposed to simple words. I feel as though by giving thorough explanations and using simpler wording, someone who is not familiar with how to design learning experiences will be able to not only understand but implement the vital skills and framework into his or her daily lessons.
By teaching innovation, teachers are reinventing learning to be more fun, more engaging, and simply more exciting for the students. This article talks about how a normal, regular lesson can become more innovative by adjusting a few activities and ideas, such as teaching concepts, having collaborative groups, and allowing time for self-reflection for the students.
By teaching innovation, teachers are reinventing learning to be more fun, more engaging, and simply more exciting for the students. This article talks about how a normal, regular lesson can become more innovative by adjusting a few activities and ideas, such as teaching concepts, having collaborative groups, and allowing time for self-reflection for the students.
The Model Approach
The pdf below offers a series of questions which when addressed in a lesson plan, can create an effective learning experience. These questions (starting on page 71 and ending on page 74) address important needs for learning experiences, from the state standards that are required, to the types of experiences the students will be engaging in. By answering these questions and reading this article, I am well on my way to being able to create effective learning experiences. Anyone can benefit from reading this handy article!
The Biological Approach
Below is a Youtube video of a seminar created and hosted by T. Grady Roberts of the University of Florida. He discusses how to create meaningful learning experiences, and he gives viewers a set of principles and guidelines to keep in mind when doing so. This is more geared towards the biological aspect of learning and how meaningful experiences relate to this, but nonetheless this video gives many great insights and gives teachers a different perspective of how to approach learning.
All Education is Similar
While the document below does not necessarily deal with learning experiences in the context I am discussing them, I feel as though this article (which details significant learning experiences and how to create them on the part of the teacher) can still be important to anyone who wants to learn how to create lessons that have meaning.
This article is tailored towards creating effective college courses, but after reading this through I see many similarities between organizing a college course and structuring an elementary school lesson. For instance, in order for a significant or meaningful learning experience to occur, an elementary school teacher must know the goal, or what he or she wants the students to accomplish or know by the end of the lesson. This is exactly the same for college courses, as it is described in the journal article. I found that it does not matter really what the grade level or skill level of the students are, since the lessons will be structured using the same or a similar format.
This article is tailored towards creating effective college courses, but after reading this through I see many similarities between organizing a college course and structuring an elementary school lesson. For instance, in order for a significant or meaningful learning experience to occur, an elementary school teacher must know the goal, or what he or she wants the students to accomplish or know by the end of the lesson. This is exactly the same for college courses, as it is described in the journal article. I found that it does not matter really what the grade level or skill level of the students are, since the lessons will be structured using the same or a similar format.
This article also deals with how teachers can structure lessons or courses for the students, which puts a different spin on designing lessons. While the teacher must keep the students in mind, in the end it is up to the teacher to make sure that the lesson is meaningful and that it actually carefully thought out instead of rushed and spontaneous. If anything, this article details how this skill of being prepared for effective learning experiences to occur is something that is carried through all teachers and professors within the field of education. It was a powerful read for me, and it put learning experiences into a different and more enlightening perspective.
21st Century Student Outcomes
Learning experiences must also include instances where students can achieve vital 21st century skills to mold them into globally competent and aware children.
Continue the journey through my portfolio by clicking the picture below to visit my page detailing the desired 21st century outcomes, including the 4 C's, Creativity, Collaboration, Critical Thinking, and Communication, that must be addressed in a learning experience.
Continue the journey through my portfolio by clicking the picture below to visit my page detailing the desired 21st century outcomes, including the 4 C's, Creativity, Collaboration, Critical Thinking, and Communication, that must be addressed in a learning experience.