2.1 How do pupils learn?

“Successful teachers are those who want to continue learning and to reflect on and refine their practice throughout their careers. In exploring what it means to be a teacher, it is therefore vital for you to consider your own learning processes and what is also understood by the term ‘learner’.

– Dymok, S & Harrison, J. 2008.

Starter activity

• What is learning?• What are your beliefs about learning?• What do you feel it takes to learn?

Activity 1 (experiential learning)

• Learn a simple skill: Origami jumping frog or a ‘Solomon Man’ knot

Reflection

• Go back to your answers to the questions earlier. Did your beliefs about learning hinder/assist in your ability to complete the last activity?

Developing a deeper understanding of learning

“sometimes even teachers’ conceptions of learning are often more closely aligned to what might be described as ‘folk’ theories. Folk theories are a reference to those conceptions that are commonly held and espoused but often bear little resemblance to knowledge that is based on conclusions of more robust empirical research.”

– Bryon, H et al. 2010.

Claxton (1999)

• Learning is for the young• Learning progresses smoothly • We can predict what will be learnt • Knowledge is ‘true’• A person’s intelligence is fixed

Activity 2 (experiential)

• Teach your partner the new skill you learnt earlier: Origami jumping frog or a ‘Solomon Man’ knot.

• Ask students to be mindful as they are going along of how they are preparing for, teaching to and judging their partner in the task.

• Teach your partner

Reflection

Consider the stages of teaching:• Preparation• The teaching and learning• Assessing the outcome

Conclusion/plenary

• What is learning?• Learning theory