Much has changed in education over the past few decades as we have transitioned from a ‘top down’ model of learning while entering an environment where information is ubiquitous. The teacher, while still a fountain of knowledge, is no longer a purveyor of information. Nor are they a program planner who is removed from the process of learning. Teachers are coaches; they carefully design and execute lessons to develop skills and understanding, they facilitate engaging experiences to help students apply information to real-life contexts, and they provide the guidance necessary for students to process the wealth of information in which they are immersed. An explanation from a great teacher is the key that opens the door to learning in a digital world and a 21st century classroom.
The role of the student has also changed. In today’s world, a good student can also be a difficult student. Research, presented in Educational Leadership, demonstrates that students with the highest levels of engagement are often the most challenging. “The compliant, dutiful learner is easy to manage, does what’s expected, and participates when there’s little risk of being wrong.” The engaged learner, on the other hand, has their own set of ideas. These ideas are sometimes shared as eager outbursts or are so passionately held that perspective must be negotiated. “Straightforward questions bore [engaged learners], but questions that are personally relevant or that require teasing out ambiguity fascinate them. They’re often annoyed by interruptions, they question everything, and they’ll follow an idea even if it takes them outside the parameters of the assignment.”
Does this description sound like your daughter? I hope that it does. Sometimes we conflate being good at school with being good at learning. The skills are not the same. As we foster student engagement and promote dynamic classroom environments, both parents and teachers are adjusting to the new role of the student and the new classroom environment. We work on developing a student's skills for independent thought along with their skills for respectful discussion. And we continue to provide for learning that is engaging, that requires an active student mind, and that unlocks the future.
