This year I have been tasked with transforming our library into a learning commons. My focus for year one in the LC has been to use maker stations to create a space where students can come together to create and collaborate, to share and discover. Each day I learn something new about the students I work with, my own teaching practices and my changing beliefs about learning.
As I interact with students in our LC space I have discovered an important question I believe all teachers should ask their students: “What do you want to learn?” When a student is given the ability to help shape his learning and the opportunity to collaborate with his teacher and peers concepts begin to matter, students become engaged and the possibilities truly become endless.
Students have been given the opportunity to provide input into the maker stations set up in the learning commons this year. As many of our stations are designed to be broad in scope students are able to enter into creative tinkering at a level meaningful to them. The outcome is very evident in our school hallways and classrooms. Students are engaged, interest levels are up and the boys are asking questions. Conversations continue after leaving the learning commons space and there is a level of excitement when students come into it. I believe this is what authentic learning looks like and I am excited to see it happening in our school
As I interact with students in our LC space I have discovered an important question I believe all teachers should ask their students: “What do you want to learn?” When a student is given the ability to help shape his learning and the opportunity to collaborate with his teacher and peers concepts begin to matter, students become engaged and the possibilities truly become endless.
Students have been given the opportunity to provide input into the maker stations set up in the learning commons this year. As many of our stations are designed to be broad in scope students are able to enter into creative tinkering at a level meaningful to them. The outcome is very evident in our school hallways and classrooms. Students are engaged, interest levels are up and the boys are asking questions. Conversations continue after leaving the learning commons space and there is a level of excitement when students come into it. I believe this is what authentic learning looks like and I am excited to see it happening in our school
Dan Pye (@dcpye) is a Learning Leader at the All Boys Program. He’s passionate about empowering his students to create and collaborate.
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