Whose learning is it anyway?

Our Year 6 students are in the final phase of their inquiries for the PYP exhibition unit.

At any given point in the last couple of weeks, you could find students spread out across the open space between their classrooms, constructing meaning, learning and collaborating.

Most have now gathered, synthesized and organised their information through a range of experiences… a conference, personal research, primary sources and creative workshops. They are at the presentation stage, busily creating slide-shows, prezis and displays for their stalls. There is a buzz of excitement and everyone seems absorbed and focused.

One of the teachers remarked today how little supervision is required at this point. “When the kids are actively engaged in their learning, there is no need for teacher control and behaviour management. It’s always like this when the learning is though inquiry…”

She hit the nail on the head.

Behaviour management and classroom control belong with teacher centred learning. They’re part of the scenario where the teacher’s out front, delivering content to students who may or not be interested. When kids have ownership of their learning, they are much more likely to be on task and engaged.

Whose learning is it anyway?