Connecting with the Conditions

Journal entry for 7/12/11, TLW make connections between their own learning experiences and the research on the conditions that support natural learning.

I can relate to the idea that connections and learning in many contexts is confusing when a person struggles terribly with a particular subject leading one to believe there is some sort of deficiency in learning; in my case math, which in essence decreases self-esteem and possibly motivation.  In reality, I was not taught some basic ideas (the whys) in the best way possible before moving on, nor was it taught in a way that I could relate it to the real world in most cases.  Also, it didn't seem like a continual learning process--you get it or you don't, you have right answers or wrong answers and move on to the next topic.  The inbetween was short-lived and apparantly unimportant.

Evernote: Brian Cambourne, Toward an educatationaly relevant theory of literacy learning: Twenty years of inquiry.
Engagement, demonstration (by teacher), expectations (by teacher for students), responsibility (descisions as empowerment), employment (the inbetween/time for practice), approximations (mistakes), and response (feedback) are all important steps to success in learning.

Engagement occurs when learners are convinced that: 1) they are potential doers or performers of these demonstrations they are observing, 2) engaging with these demonstrations will further the purposes of their lives, and 3) they can engage and try to emulate without fear of physical or psychological hurt if their attempts are not fuly correct.

Making pictures of memories or ideas that relate to these aspects of learning was helpful in putting these ideas together and understanding them.  Working in a group was even more helpful and it was a good way to creatively engage us in learning what was meant by this model for the conditions of learning. 

So what does this have to do with facilitating learning environments?  If we can create a learning situation in  a classroom such as this, then we can help learners to better learn and hopefully become good learners and we can become better teachers.

Engagement level 10 b/c worked in a group to create a poster that made the learning more fun and creative.