Comments on: And What Do YOU Mean by Learning? http://weblogg-ed.com/2011/and-what-do-you-mean-by-learning/ Learning with the Read/Write Web Tue, 19 Jul 2011 20:36:16 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Jordan A. http://weblogg-ed.com/2011/and-what-do-you-mean-by-learning/comment-page-1/#comment-88783 Jordan A. Fri, 13 May 2011 02:42:50 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/?p=4163#comment-88783 Dear Mr. Will Richardson, I read your article “And What do You Mean By Learning” and it totally changed my perspective of schooling today. Taking your education to the next level isn't always the easiest thing but it is a required thing to make a good living in today's fast pace society. I think to be able to learn, students must be able to cope with situations that can't be handled in school. Another point I would like to put out from the perspective of a high school student is it would be hard for adults to come to a consensus on learning because they are used to the way they are brought up. What back then was just an everyday part of living is now very difficult for some kids to handle. I will also have to agree with the statement "Learning is on the student not the teacher" because there is no way a kid can go to school and get the full meaning of it which would be to learn if the teacher cares more about the grade than the student. Dear Mr. Will Richardson,
I read your article “And What do You Mean By Learning” and it totally changed my perspective of schooling today. Taking your education to the next level isn’t always the easiest thing but it is a required thing to make a good living in today’s fast pace society. I think to be able to learn, students must be able to cope with situations that can’t be handled in school. Another point I would like to put out from the perspective of a high school student is it would be hard for adults to come to a consensus on learning because they are used to the way they are brought up. What back then was just an everyday part of living is now very difficult for some kids to handle. I will also have to agree with the statement “Learning is on the student not the teacher” because there is no way a kid can go to school and get the full meaning of it which would be to learn if the teacher cares more about the grade than the student.

]]> By: Jesse http://weblogg-ed.com/2011/and-what-do-you-mean-by-learning/comment-page-1/#comment-88764 Jesse Wed, 11 May 2011 14:14:08 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/?p=4163#comment-88764 Dear Mr. Will Richardson, I read your article “And what do You Mean by Learning” and I agree with you when you said learning is on the student not the teacher. I agree with that because the students have to apply there selves to succeed and it’s not on the teacher to make you work hard it’s up to you. Also, when you said in your article “in some cases lots of failure, is a necessary step to success" I agree with that because every time you fail you try over and over again and each time you try you learn to get better. I am a student in high school, and every time I fail I try to get better at getting good grades and applying myself to learn what the teacher is teaching me. Dear Mr. Will Richardson,
I read your article “And what do You Mean by Learning” and I agree with you when you said learning is on the student not the teacher. I agree with that because the students have to apply there selves to succeed and it’s not on the teacher to make you work hard it’s up to you. Also, when you said in your article “in some cases lots of failure, is a necessary step to success” I agree with that because every time you fail you try over and over again and each time you try you learn to get better. I am a student in high school, and every time I fail I try to get better at getting good grades and applying myself to learn what the teacher is teaching me.

]]> By: Justin M 2014 http://weblogg-ed.com/2011/and-what-do-you-mean-by-learning/comment-page-1/#comment-88761 Justin M 2014 Wed, 11 May 2011 02:42:15 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/?p=4163#comment-88761 Dear Mr. Will Richardson, I read your article “And What do You Mean By Learning” and I never thought of learning this way but you said that learning is on the child not the teacher. Students need to have a greater desire to learn because if they do not how will they be taught anything. It is like your daughter and how she perseveres through her own problems like the high jump. I also believed that you had some very interesting thoughts about nobody knows how to define learning but that you do think SAT is not supposed to be in the definition. I am a high school student in a class that to be honest has a lot of slackers, and it is not because they are not intelligent but more that they do not apply themselves in learning. That need to practice learning and like you said nobody knows how to practice learning but many students will keep trying to learn and that is what our school needs. Dear Mr. Will Richardson,
I read your article “And What do You Mean By Learning” and I never thought of learning this way but you said that learning is on the child not the teacher. Students need to have a greater desire to learn because if they do not how will they be taught anything. It is like your daughter and how she perseveres through her own problems like the high jump. I also believed that you had some very interesting thoughts about nobody knows how to define learning but that you do think SAT is not supposed to be in the definition. I am a high school student in a class that to be honest has a lot of slackers, and it is not because they are not intelligent but more that they do not apply themselves in learning. That need to practice learning and like you said nobody knows how to practice learning but many students will keep trying to learn and that is what our school needs.

]]> By: Connor B http://weblogg-ed.com/2011/and-what-do-you-mean-by-learning/comment-page-1/#comment-88703 Connor B Fri, 06 May 2011 17:52:00 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/?p=4163#comment-88703 Dear Will Richardson, In your blog post “And What DO YOU mean by learning?” it really got my attention in the point you made in what learning really is. I totally agree with you that a student’s will to learn determines if that student will learn. I am a high school student and to me learning is having the want to acquire knowledge so you can better your future. It is taking your education to the next step so you can get into a good college, be successful after graduating, and getting prepared to take on the world and all of the problems it has waiting for us once students today are on their own. Schools think that they can spend large amounts of money to get a student the best learning they can but no matter what a school or teacher does, a student won’t learn unless they have a desire to learn. It all starts with the student and if he/she has the right attitude towards learning and wants to have a better future. Dear Will Richardson,
In your blog post “And What DO YOU mean by learning?” it really got my attention in the point you made in what learning really is. I totally agree with you that a student’s will to learn determines if that student will learn. I am a high school student and to me learning is having the want to acquire knowledge so you can better your future. It is taking your education to the next step so you can get into a good college, be successful after graduating, and getting prepared to take on the world and all of the problems it has waiting for us once students today are on their own. Schools think that they can spend large amounts of money to get a student the best learning they can but no matter what a school or teacher does, a student won’t learn unless they have a desire to learn. It all starts with the student and if he/she has the right attitude towards learning and wants to have a better future.

]]> By: Online PD | shiftf7 http://weblogg-ed.com/2011/and-what-do-you-mean-by-learning/comment-page-1/#comment-88592 Online PD | shiftf7 Mon, 02 May 2011 19:13:45 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/?p=4163#comment-88592 [...] I haven’t read his (Sarason’s) book, but Will Richardson refers to in his blog posting, “What do you mean by learning?” You can find new strategies for teaching on the web that will prompt you to apply what you have [...] [...] I haven’t read his (Sarason’s) book, but Will Richardson refers to in his blog posting, “What do you mean by learning?” You can find new strategies for teaching on the web that will prompt you to apply what you have [...]

]]> By: Middle School Matters » Blog Archive » MSM 163 We’ll start at 1:38:26.98765432221 pm. Maybe. (And finish after cursing out Skype). http://weblogg-ed.com/2011/and-what-do-you-mean-by-learning/comment-page-1/#comment-88527 Middle School Matters » Blog Archive » MSM 163 We’ll start at 1:38:26.98765432221 pm. Maybe. (And finish after cursing out Skype). Wed, 27 Apr 2011 00:18:56 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/?p=4163#comment-88527 [...] What do you mean by learning? http://weblogg-ed.com/2011/and-what-do-you-mean-by-learning/ [...] [...] What do you mean by learning? http://weblogg-ed.com/2011/and-what-do-you-mean-by-learning/ [...]

]]> By: From the “Out” Bin. | TransLeadership http://weblogg-ed.com/2011/and-what-do-you-mean-by-learning/comment-page-1/#comment-88513 From the “Out” Bin. | TransLeadership Sat, 23 Apr 2011 13:17:05 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/?p=4163#comment-88513 [...] Another must read:  Will Richardson’s post on learning found here. [...] [...] Another must read:  Will Richardson’s post on learning found here. [...]

]]> By: Tom Fullerton http://weblogg-ed.com/2011/and-what-do-you-mean-by-learning/comment-page-1/#comment-88512 Tom Fullerton Fri, 22 Apr 2011 20:39:40 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/?p=4163#comment-88512 Hi Will, Your post is both timely and important. I'm working with a group of caring educators who are completing a course on Learning Theory and Technology in Delta, British Columbia. They're enrolled in Simon Fraser's Graduate Diploma in teacher inquiry. While I'm not sure that we've found "answer(s)" to the question(s), "what does it mean to learn / to know / to be 'competent' or exhibit 'mastery', we did come to a common understanding about what is important. They decided that learning is not one thing; not a single state, but heavily dependent on the context and purpose, the goals and intended outcomes. They continue to explore ways in which the students in their classes can become more self-directed learners and ways in which they can make their classrooms more learner-centered. They continue to struggle with the imposed reporting systems and the demands of the curriculum and what they believe about assessment and evaluation. In both the course and in the diploma itself, we ask teachers to consider themselves as both teachers and learners. They are asked to keep a learning portfolio in which they tell the story of their learning in the program and the insights they gain into their practice. Many of them have remarked to me that it had been some time since they were learners. Being in that position again has given them greater insight into their students' learning. Learning can be an uncomfortable place (I shared with them a Québec expression that learning happens as you move from one place to another ~entre les chaises~). In this way, learning is change or growth, a state of becoming or being, of questioning assumptions and engaging in a critical reflection on practice. The portfolio therefore is both product and process. <a href="http://www.wix.com/rempel_j/altitude#!" rel="nofollow">Here's an example of one of the teacher's "baseline" portfolios.</a> They share out in another 2 weeks. I'm thankful that I've been able to join them on this journey. Thanks for the opportunity to extend my thinking once again, Tom Hi Will,

Your post is both timely and important. I’m working with a group of caring educators who are completing a course on Learning Theory and Technology in Delta, British Columbia. They’re enrolled in Simon Fraser’s Graduate Diploma in teacher inquiry.

While I’m not sure that we’ve found “answer(s)” to the question(s), “what does it mean to learn / to know / to be ‘competent’ or exhibit ‘mastery’, we did come to a common understanding about what is important.

They decided that learning is not one thing; not a single state, but heavily dependent on the context and purpose, the goals and intended outcomes.

They continue to explore ways in which the students in their classes can become more self-directed learners and ways in which they can make their classrooms more learner-centered.

They continue to struggle with the imposed reporting systems and the demands of the curriculum and what they believe about assessment and evaluation.

In both the course and in the diploma itself, we ask teachers to consider themselves as both teachers and learners. They are asked to keep a learning portfolio in which they tell the story of their learning in the program and the insights they gain into their practice.

Many of them have remarked to me that it had been some time since they were learners. Being in that position again has given them greater insight into their students’ learning. Learning can be an uncomfortable place (I shared with them a Québec expression that learning happens as you move from one place to another ~entre les chaises~). In this way, learning is change or growth, a state of becoming or being, of questioning assumptions and engaging in a critical reflection on practice. The portfolio therefore is both product and process. Here’s an example of one of the teacher’s “baseline” portfolios. They share out in another 2 weeks. I’m thankful that I’ve been able to join them on this journey.

Thanks for the opportunity to extend my thinking once again,
Tom

]]> By: Will Richardson http://weblogg-ed.com/2011/and-what-do-you-mean-by-learning/comment-page-1/#comment-88511 Will Richardson Fri, 22 Apr 2011 18:27:29 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/?p=4163#comment-88511 Dean, I wonder how much guidance high school kids would need if we did a great job of reframing the role of K-8. I'm not sure it's a matter of high schoolers not knowing what they don't know as much as it's not feeling empowered to learn about the things they really have a passion for. If K-8 is more about sustaining and nurturing their passion for learning all the while exposing them to many different learning experiences, my sense is most of them would flourish on their own. Right now, the system disempowers them more often than not. Dean, I wonder how much guidance high school kids would need if we did a great job of reframing the role of K-8. I’m not sure it’s a matter of high schoolers not knowing what they don’t know as much as it’s not feeling empowered to learn about the things they really have a passion for. If K-8 is more about sustaining and nurturing their passion for learning all the while exposing them to many different learning experiences, my sense is most of them would flourish on their own. Right now, the system disempowers them more often than not.

]]> By: Meredith (@msstewart) http://weblogg-ed.com/2011/and-what-do-you-mean-by-learning/comment-page-1/#comment-88510 Meredith (@msstewart) Fri, 22 Apr 2011 18:21:14 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/?p=4163#comment-88510 I really appreciate you articulating that, Dean. Definitely something I wonder about. I do think we can give students a choice about how they learn, even if there are areas in which we think it's important that we stipulate what it is they're learning. One of my students said, "I used to think I hated history, but I've realized that what I hated was how we learned it." I really appreciate you articulating that, Dean. Definitely something I wonder about. I do think we can give students a choice about how they learn, even if there are areas in which we think it’s important that we stipulate what it is they’re learning. One of my students said, “I used to think I hated history, but I’ve realized that what I hated was how we learned it.”

]]> By: What Does Living Green Mean? | Green Living Tips | Information and Free Resources | http://weblogg-ed.com/2011/and-what-do-you-mean-by-learning/comment-page-1/#comment-88508 What Does Living Green Mean? | Green Living Tips | Information and Free Resources | Fri, 22 Apr 2011 12:55:09 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/?p=4163#comment-88508 [...] Weblogg-ed » And What Do YOU Mean by Learning? [...] [...] Weblogg-ed » And What Do YOU Mean by Learning? [...]

]]> By: ChaseB http://weblogg-ed.com/2011/and-what-do-you-mean-by-learning/comment-page-1/#comment-88505 ChaseB Fri, 22 Apr 2011 03:18:55 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/?p=4163#comment-88505 Dear Mr. Will Richardson – In your article “And What Do YOU Mean by Learning?” I feel that learning to ME is acquiring information in a way that it will be retained. For schools this means no spelling lists in English class, and only a few important dates to memorize in history. I also believe that these types of memorizations be replaced by hands on visual activities to help kids visually learn. An example of this would be in a World War II unit, coloring a world map with different colors for the allied and axis powers, this way kids would visually remember the country’s on both sides of the conflict without memorizing before the test, and then forgetting after the test. I also believe that if schools provide hands on learning that kids will be much more focused and would understand and retain the information they learn leaving them much better off in the long run. In the future, I would hope to see more of this teaching/learning style happening around the country and because of it, see kids retaining and enjoying the things they are learning. Dear Mr. Will Richardson –
In your article “And What Do YOU Mean by Learning?” I feel that learning to ME is acquiring information in a way that it will be retained. For schools this means no spelling lists in English class, and only a few important dates to memorize in history. I also believe that these types of memorizations be replaced by hands on visual activities to help kids visually learn. An example of this would be in a World War II unit, coloring a world map with different colors for the allied and axis powers, this way kids would visually remember the country’s on both sides of the conflict without memorizing before the test, and then forgetting after the test. I also believe that if schools provide hands on learning that kids will be much more focused and would understand and retain the information they learn leaving them much better off in the long run. In the future, I would hope to see more of this teaching/learning style happening around the country and because of it, see kids retaining and enjoying the things they are learning.

]]> By: Dean Shareski http://weblogg-ed.com/2011/and-what-do-you-mean-by-learning/comment-page-1/#comment-88504 Dean Shareski Fri, 22 Apr 2011 02:27:08 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/?p=4163#comment-88504 I would agree for the most part but I still think high school students need guidance and exposure to things they might not decide they need or want to know about. I wouldn't even suggest it needs to be balanced and certainly lean towards passion and choice, I just know that most high school students don't know what they don't know. I would agree for the most part but I still think high school students need guidance and exposure to things they might not decide they need or want to know about. I wouldn’t even suggest it needs to be balanced and certainly lean towards passion and choice, I just know that most high school students don’t know what they don’t know.

]]> By: Randy Cantrell http://weblogg-ed.com/2011/and-what-do-you-mean-by-learning/comment-page-1/#comment-88499 Randy Cantrell Thu, 21 Apr 2011 18:35:44 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/?p=4163#comment-88499 Sat down this morning with my two grandsons, ages 3 (almost 4) and 2. They were working on puzzles. Jake, the younger one, kept saying, "Help, help." I kept telling him, "You can do it. Just keep turning the pieces until you find where they fit." He would. Older brother, Max, is an old pro - he's been doing puzzles for as long as I can remember. He's also the one who, upon first having an iPhone in his hand, immediately figured out how to take a photo, scroll through pages, and launch apps. He was under 3 at the time. So it goes. Just about everything in their world is learning. It's experiencing, figuring it out, finding a way and understanding. I watch it happen before my very eyes every day. And it's quite wonderful. (The lower right hand corner of my site has a picture of Jake and Max). I love your work, Will (even if you do have more hair than me)! Sat down this morning with my two grandsons, ages 3 (almost 4) and 2. They were working on puzzles. Jake, the younger one, kept saying, “Help, help.” I kept telling him, “You can do it. Just keep turning the pieces until you find where they fit.” He would. Older brother, Max, is an old pro – he’s been doing puzzles for as long as I can remember. He’s also the one who, upon first having an iPhone in his hand, immediately figured out how to take a photo, scroll through pages, and launch apps. He was under 3 at the time. So it goes. Just about everything in their world is learning. It’s experiencing, figuring it out, finding a way and understanding. I watch it happen before my very eyes every day. And it’s quite wonderful. (The lower right hand corner of my site has a picture of Jake and Max).

I love your work, Will (even if you do have more hair than me)!

]]> By: Will Richardson http://weblogg-ed.com/2011/and-what-do-you-mean-by-learning/comment-page-1/#comment-88494 Will Richardson Wed, 20 Apr 2011 23:36:02 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/?p=4163#comment-88494 I agree. I've seen that in PLP as well...the vast majority want to get to the "how do I use this in the classroom" part. They have little patience for the personal learning part that goes with it. But it's not surprising...we prepare them to "teach" not to learn. They see "teachers" not learners. I agree. I’ve seen that in PLP as well…the vast majority want to get to the “how do I use this in the classroom” part. They have little patience for the personal learning part that goes with it. But it’s not surprising…we prepare them to “teach” not to learn. They see “teachers” not learners.

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