So, so you think you can tell;
Heaven from Hell, Blue skies from pain.
Can you tell a green field from a cold steel
rail?
A smile from a veil? Do you think you can
tell?
-Pink
Floyd
If someone were to walk into your
classroom and ask you to produce evidence of the learning taking place in your
classroom, what would you show them?
·
Would you point to test scores?
·
Would you point to posters on the wall?
·
Would you hand them a portfolio of writings?
·
Would it be completed worksheets?
·
Would it be essays?
What are the true artifacts of
learning?
Learning is defined by Merriam-Webster
as follows:
1. to
gain knowledge or understanding of or skill in by study, instruction, or
experience
2. to
come to be able
3. to
come to realize
4. to
come to know
5. to acquire knowledge or skill or a behavioral
tendency
So, I ask again: What are the true artifacts of learning?
The true artifacts of learning are produced over an extended period of
time, years in most cases depending upon the subject or material. Learning is
retained beyond next week’s test, or mid-term, or final; learning surfaces
years down the line. So, is there nothing you can show a person who asks for
evidence?
I believe there is and it is quite simple: Desire, curiosity, and an
internal drive to do well in your learners. So, when someone walks in and asks
for evidence you don’t point to papers or web pages; point to your learners and
observe them.
Ask these questions:
1. Are they engaged?
2. Is their motivation internal or external?
3. Are they pausing to consider or rushing to
finish?
4. Are they sharing their ideas and asking for
others?
5. Are they asking, seeking, and unsatisfied?
6. Are they accepting or questioning what you
say?
The true artifacts of learning are the learners. Tell me, what do your learners look like?
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