An important part of being an excellent teacher is attempting to create conditions that cause all kids to want to learn more. If we can consistently develop each student's desire to know, they will eventually become unstoppable learners. We can never assume the motivation and engagement of students is a fixed characteristic. We should never assume some students are just naturally curious and others are not. Instead, we should always be striving to unleash the natural curiosity and wonder in every learner.
One reason some students withhold effort and engagement is a feeling that they will not be successful as a learner. When students don't believe in their own ability to learn, they tend to avoid learning. School has a way of sorting students into smart/not-smart, learners/non-learners, capable/not-capable. At least, that's how a number of students feel.
Unfortunately, for too many students, school has felt like a place where they are constantly reminded of what they aren't good at. And that needs to change if we hope to create learning environments where all students become curious, enthusiastic, and engaged learners.
What if every educator in your school committed to make learning a strengths-based endeavor? What kind of place would your school be? Talk with your team about the belief statements I shared below. How can these translate into a different approach to learning for your school?
1. Every student has unique gifts and talents as a learner.
2. Students who are confident learners will learn more. They will want to learn more.
3. Each student needs to feel like he/she can be successful.
4. Educators should recognize different aptitudes and adjust accordingly. One-size-fits-all doesn't work.
5. Learning is build on strengths and not deficits. Are you reminding students more of their assets or their liabilities?
6. We should focus on what a child can do, instead of what he/she cannot do.
7. Teachers should design learning experiences that allow students to use strengths to make meaning. Allow students to enter the problem in a way that is familiar and go from there.
8. It's impossible to develop an effective learning experience if we treat a classroom full of students like they all have the same strengths.
9. Success breeds success. So if students have success with a task in their strength area, they are more likely to take on a task that isn't in their strength area.
10. We all give and withhold effort depending on our own feelings of talent, skill and efficacy.
11. Seek to understand how students learn best, and help students understand how they learn best.
When we help students find their strengths and use them for learning, we show them they are valued for who they are. Their confidence soars. And with increased confidence, students will want to learn more.
Questions: How are you building on students' strengths as learners? What needs to change to make school more personalized to account for different learning strengths? I want to hear from you. Leave a comment below or respond on Facebook or Twitter.
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