A ‘MU dictionary meaning’ of … building a
community of learners
DEFINITION
What the research & theorist says (see attachments)
ANALOGY, ESSENCE
Delpitt ‘The Silenced Dialogue’
Both students and teachers are expert at what they know
Accept students & take responsibility to teach them
Teach the political game to access power – knowing the code is important
images
Wiliam ‘Does Assessment hinder Assessment?’
Activate students as owners of their own learning and resources for each
others’ learning
Develop classroom discussions, activities and tasks
Providing feedback moves the learning forward
metaphors
Hattie ‘Teachers Make a Difference...’
Expert teachers create optimal classroom environments where error is
welcomed, student questioning is high and learners get reputations as
effective learners
Expert teachers have high respect for learners and are passionate about
teaching & learning & show emotion
What it’s not
Caine R&G ‘Brain/Mind Principles’
The brain is social
Part of our identity depends on establishing community & finding ways to
belong
Learning is profoundly influenced by the nature of social relationships with
people
Lee, Smith & Croniger ‘How High School Organisation Influences the
Equitable Distribution of Learning in Mathematics and Science
The emotional bond between teacher & student is crucial in engaging and
motivating students
Social relationships, curriculum & instruction are important for learning &
equity
D: abstracts essence, concept, expresses as image analogy
Resources and websites
A: defines, proposes, clarifies
EXAMPLES, FACTS, PROCEDURES
Strategies
Jigsaw
Huddled Heads
Roundtable
Inside /outside circles
Give one get one
Team Pair Solo
Circle the Sage
Partners
VALUE, PERSONAL MEANING
2.2 Quotes
'You can't force commitment, what you can do... You nudge a little
here, inspire a little there, and provide a role model. Your primary
influence is the environment you create.' Peter Senge
'A team is a mosaic' Charles Williams
Norman Shidle
A group becomes a team when each member is sure enough of
himself and his contribution to praise the skills of the others.
'My education was a prolonged and concerted attack on my
individuality' Neil Crofts Author Authenticity
Different yet working together
B: names, gives examples, shows how…
The Me Bag – an activity to generate personal stories
C: felt meaning, value, expresses as a personal story