You can’t mandate learning Who could your students access to help them learn? How might your students reach out to learn something new? What could your students learn? What could they teach others? The possibilities are endless if you are open to them. When we simply follow the curriculum map or implement programs, we fail to take in the context and uniqueness of individuals into consideration. When the focus is on compliance and testing, it drives shallow learning in which we simply cover content rather than make deep connections to the content. This curriculum, standards-based model has left far too many behind, and even those who have successfully navigated school remain ill-prepared for the world in which we live.

Ultimately, the best educators understand that you can’t mandate learning, but you can create the conditions in which people are inspired and empowered to learn.

Based on Part 2 of Learner-Centered Innovation- Learning to Improve, we had a great Twitter chat on Wednesday night. Check out some of the great connections, ideas and examples shared. For the full chat, you can check out the #LCInnovation

Love this! I dream of creating a school where we authentically support each student on their journey to a happy & healthy life. Their voice. Their ideas. Our guidance and support. #makeanimpact #LCInnovation #collaboration https://t.co/SSWhdWPryk

— Heidi Howe (@howeheidijb) May 16, 2019

A2 I can stop talking so much I have made a conscious effort this year to listen more and talk less! #lcinnovation https://t.co/vOacdldf7K

— pam erickson (@perickson22) May 16, 2019

A3: "Standards should serve as guides, not checklists" I can get very bogged down by the proficiency standards and need to re-think some of what I do in my 101-102 classes. #LCInnovation

— Margaret Ballantyne (@ProfaMAB) May 16, 2019

A4: Developing learner agency is about knowing your students as PEOPLE and not as numbers. When you know things about their lives and their hope and dreams, it’s way easier to inspire them. Often, when they know you care, they care more too. #lcinnovation pic.twitter.com/YOiLbZprHx

— Autumn Riley (@MrsAutumnRiley) May 16, 2019

A6: Today I gave Kinders a design challenge.

Sometimes the best thing to do to spark the right questions is to let kids get messy and use their imagination! They must explore the possibilities in order to ignite curiosities!#LCInnovation pic.twitter.com/s5SzuQkYpT

— Lucretia Anton (@lantonha) May 16, 2019

Q5: Need to get back into blogging. Really excited about the collaboration with small group of Ts in district and @altschool . Sharing and defining how to provide evidence toward learner agency. #LCInnovation

— Renee Costarella (@ReneeCostarella) May 16, 2019

We have one more week left to dive into part 3: Share Your Learning! This last part of the book is about how we can work “Better Together”, share our process and ultimately work together to unleash the power that exists in all of us. Join us this week or grab some colleagues, and use the conversation guide to do the book study face to face. I look forward to your ideas and what you do to impact learners and make school amazing!