Teachers are learning designers

This month we focused on this article from edutopia that looks at teachers as learning designers.

We loved how Ken Robinson in the video

The idea of falling forward helps students to take risks. Messing up is where learning happens.

In the PYP this is way easier because we're not as scripted. Our school allows us to use more of these principles. We hope to keep using these skills deepen the process of learning concepts, rather than content.

We wondered about the linear vs. cyclical learning styles.  How can we adapt our curriculum to focus more on the cyclical nature of the inquiry.

The idea of the spiral curriculum appeals to us, especially using the "inquiry cycle".

The analogy of teachers as gardeners worked for us.  We were able to see how students could flourish if we didn't expect them all to be the same "plant".


While the idea of "letting go" of the final product is something we all relate to, it's not something we see as possible for all teachers right now.  This can lead to blaming students when we talk about the article. Teaching doesn't always imply learning, we need to focus on the learning.