In the old model of teaching, knowledge is simply transferred from teachers to students, which is not suitable for this century. Thomas & Brown (2011) discuss in detail The New Culture of Learning which is better suited for the 21st century. This model is more of a learning based approach which focuses on learning via engagement within the world. The new culture of learning compromises two elements. The first is a massive information network that provides almost unlimited access and resources to learn about anything. The second is a bounded and structured environment that allows for unlimited agency to build and experiment with things within these limits. (Thomas & Brown, 2011) In different videos, Douglas Thomas and Dr. Tony Bates both use the analogy of a plants in a garden to stress the point that teachers cannot force students to learn. We cannot simply funnel knowledge into their brains. What we can do, much like a gardener, is provide a good environment to grow. This is why the creating a significant learning environment is so important. A fundamental idea from a New Culture of Learning that I plan to bring to my learning environment is giving the students time to play. Play is important because "play provides the opportunity to leap, experiment, fail, and continue to play with different outcomes – in other words to riddle one's way through a mystery" (Thomas & Brown, 2011). When students play with the content, they are exploring areas that are meaningful to them, which leads them to take ownership of their learning. Having a significant learning environment will influence my innovation plan focused on student e-portfolios by allowing students to play with the many different aspects of their e-portfolios such as the design, the layout, the format of the content, and the content itself. It will be very tempting to give them templates, to list every page they should have, dictate everything that should be on those pages, and even tell them what format to use for their assignments. However, I know that these student e-portfolios will only fulfill their purpose if students are given time to play. The purpose is for students to reflect on their learning, showcase what they have learned, and use it as a tool to draw connections in which they can apply that knowledge to the real world. Students will accomplish a lot more if I allow their inquisitive nature to take over and find solutions than if I just walk them through every detail step by step. A challenge for myself will be letting go and gaining a better understanding of what my role should be. Another challenge I foresee with giving my students the freedom to play is their privacy online. I teach minors, so I need to be extra vigilant of who they are communicating with online, yet also be mindful of not intruding on meaningful discussions. I will have to self-assess my actions on a daily basis in order to determine if I am truly fulfilling my role in a way that is benefiting my students. This concept of giving the students time to play may encounter some resistance because it can be seen as a waste of time. It should be noted that by giving students time to play, I do not mean to give them free periods and just have them do whatever they please. The students still need structure, therefore there will be parameters given for every task assigned. The parameters will serve as a guide and also spark their imagination as they explore different creative ways to stay within those parameters. By giving the students the opportunity to play within set parameters, we are creating an environment that is conducive to learning. If mistakes are made, they can fix them. If obstacles are encountered, they can problem solve. If they are successful in their endeavors, they can explore further. With play, there is not one solution, rather there are many different approaches which can be reflective of their different personalities. In order to see the massive benefit, we need to step back and look at the big picture. Are we simply trying to funnel information into our students’ brains or are we trying to provide them with a significant learning environment? When we establish a significant learning environment, students will begin to take ownership of their learning which will lead to more meaningful learning experiences. If we have these elements in place, students are more likely to draw connections between topics and content areas. To me, THIS is learning. References: C. (2015, December 14). Dr. Tony Bates on building effective learning environments. Retrieved August 30, 2017, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xD_sLNGurA T. (2012, September 12). A new culture of learning, Douglas Thomas at TEDxUFM. Retrieved August 30, 2017, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lM80GXlyX0U Thomas, D., & Brown J. S. (2011). A new culture of learning: Cultivating the imagination for a world of constant change. (Vol 219) Lexington, KY: CreateSpace. ISBN 1456458884
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