Evolving ELS's for Powerful # Open Learning Experiences

We are only two weeks into our new school year and our vibrant "Engaging Learning Spaces" (ELS's) are already generating excitement, enthusiasm and engagement in learning for children, staff and families at St Joseph's.

After completing my sabbatical research in 2014, I challenged educators to actively engage learners in deep learning by creating dynamic, innovative learning environments in partnership with learners and families where passion, motivation and excitement for learning flourishes.

Link to sabbatical video

This year, we are putting into practice a concerted school wide community approach to engaging all learners in deep learning for success. We have moved beyond the traditional "Open Door" approach to an "Open Learning in Education" philosophy.

"Open Learning in Education" is the theme of Chapter 8 in David Price's book "Open : How we'll work, live and learn in the future". I have reviewed Chapters 1 - 7 in previous blog posts. In Chapter 8, Price challenges us to reflect on "powerful and significant learning experiences in our lives " ( Page 157). For most of us, these experiences have taken place outside of school, like learning to ride a bike or learning to swim. They involved challenge, risk and learning from failure and forced us out of our comfort zones. Price points out that powerful learning experiences definitely don't come from completing worksheets. Powerful and significant learning experiences are taking place in informal social spaces outside of schools. The new concept of educational success has clearly moved away from " transmission of knowledge" to "nurturing of key skills and competencies".(Heng Swee Keat in Price, Page 166).

"Collaborative partnerships" are key to the success of this approach to learning. For several years at St Joseph's, we have focused on building quality relationships between teachers and learners.This has broadened to include families and between ourselves as educators. Every teacher is committed to working collaboratively with one or more teachers in "Learning Hubs" (shared spaces across 2-3 rooms) where there is an expectation that the progress and achievement of every learner is the responsibility of the teaching team rather than just one teacher. Last year we put a great deal of energy into supporting and involving our parents in learning and change. The extract below is taken from our school Newsblog after a recent Family Learning Hui and helps to explain how we develop "collaborative partnerships. "

Weekly Newsblog February 2015
Every student  Everyone engaged in deep learning for success
 Maybe we need to consider rewording our learning goal! We had a record turnout of families (about 100 participants) at our first learning Hui for 2015 and it wasn't only the students who were actively engaged in learning! We had parents, friends and staff all participating with the children in the learning activities. Everyone was learning together. We were participating in a social learning environment, supporting and challenging each other to open our hearts and our minds to new learning.

Having a growth mindset was the theme of one of our learning Hui's last year. If we are open to learning then age is no barrier to learning and change. It is only a closed mindset that can be a barrier to achieving our hopes, goals, dreams and ambitions. Being open to thinking in ways that may be challenging for us but move us out of our comfort zones as adults will help us grow our own learning capability.

This video helps us to understand that we need to create learning environments that truly engage our learners. We can't relay on technology alone but it can be used as a tool to support deep learning. Caring teachers effectively use the technology of today to help place learning in the context of the children's world. We are creating environments that inspire, engage and drive our students to be self motivated learners. Ultimately, we want them to drive their own learning. Strong self - management skills help our children to be active and independent learners. These are the skills that will support them to learn, achieve and succeed at high school and beyond.

Family Learning Hui questions - We have timetabled two learning Hui's per term as well as two open morrnings and set the dates for the year so that you can ensure that you keep these free.

1. Can the Hui's be at a different time? We tried the later time of 7pm last year but attendance was low (only about 15 people compared with 50 -100 ) for the 6pm time. The 6pm time slot allows a chance for working parents to get home and join if possible. The 6pm time also means that younger children can come and it's not too late for them to go to bed afterwards. Unfortunately we cannot suit the needs of all families. We are exploring a video option and also a live streaming possibility.
2. Can we have them on a different day? We have liaised with our Sports Coordinator and arranged Wednesday Hui's for Terms 1 and 4 and Thursdays for Terms 2 and 3 to best fit with coaching and sporting activities. 
3. Do my children need to come? No. You may certainly choose to come on on your own.The opportunity to bring the children means that you are not restricted by having to find a babysitter. You might decide that one parent comes with one child. It is your choice and there is no expectation from us.
4. Why should we come? It is a chance for you to understand and be able to support your children's learning in ways that are more proactive and insightful than in the past. We do expect that you as parents and caregivers accept the significant role that you play in your children's education. All of our teachers are expected to attend and will be there to learn alongside you and your families. We believe that learning at St Joseph's is a priority.

Teaching and Learning Site
We had a chance to explore our new 'go to' site at the Family Learning Hui. This site was set up to bring together all of the information that we were previously sharing in a range of places. 

This is where you can now access our calendar of events, class blogs  and all of our curriculum information. Most importantly, you have an insight into the planning and preparation that our teachers do for your children. You now have access to weekly timetables, learning workshops, long term plans and inquiry units. 
Now you have a chance to have informed learning conversations, discussions and reflections with your children based on this valuable shared information.
What did you do at school today? You won't need to ask this question because you can actually read about what the children are doing on a specific day. Instead you can take the time to say, "Share with me some of the statistical learning or where are you at with your book review?" You have the valuable opportunity to proactively support your child in their learning.

Our ELS's are continually evolving and support an "Open Learning in Education" philosophy. They lend themselves to powerful and significant learning experiences. I will share some of these experiences from a learner's perspective in a future blog.