Guus Wijngaards

Students’Voices II

New research?

Listen carefully to the learners when creating learning environments

Main theme

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The input of young people provides valuable aspects which may lead into educational

improvements

Why?

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A learner tends to approach his own learning methods in a more effective and motivated

way when he is asked to consider his learning practice

Why?

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Courtesy: Fahrschule Seidensticker

So, ensure that young people play a

part in designing their learning

process

.....reflective learners.....

Why?

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.....implies:

that we accept informal learning

outside school

especially in personal virtual environments

Taking young people

seriously

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.....implies:

that young people should share conduct of learning processes at the educational institutions

Taking young people

seriously

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.....implies:

that students and teachers have a joint responsibility for the contents and processes

Shared conduct

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.....implies:

realising connections between formal (school) and informal (personal, outside school) learning

environments

Shared conduct

LEARNER ENGAGEMENT

A review of learner voice initiatives acrossthe UK’s education sectors

Leila Walker, Senior Researcher, Futurelabwith Ann Logan, Educational Consultant2008

Bringing staff and learners together

The University of Birmingham brings staff andlearners together as part of professional development for educators. Staff meet with learners and hear their views first-hand in a safe, non-threatening environment. This helps staff understand learners’ reactions to the process of learning.

Using learners’ voices in ‘live’ events ensures that staff are hearing their real views (and not making assumptions).

Example 1

Peer support is a crucial step in empowering learners.

Research has shown that peer assessment, for instance, can enhance learning. In one project, Rudduck, Brown and Hendy (2006) found that two Year 9 English classes taught by the same teacher produced very different results. The difference was peer assessment and support.One class used peer assessment and the other did not. At the end of term, the peer assessment group had covered much more of the curriculum than the other group. The teacher said that the peer-assessed group was learning at a much faster pace.

Example 2

Mediating at playtimes in primary school

Year 5 and 6 pupils at Denton West End PrimarySchool help to settle disagreements on the schoolplayground. They have received training to be activelisteners and to encourage problem solving betweenpupils. This work is endorsed by the National Societyfor the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.

Example 3

Web 2.0 applications seem to be

of vital importance

Could social software be powerful as a model for educational change?

Growing every day

Software platform

Radically user-oriented

Decentralised

Collective and massive

What are pupils’ and students’

expectations and experiences with (social software)

technologies?

Which problems will we encounter when we integrate the social web within our

‘closed’ school systems?

Which factors are instrumental in contributing to a favourable environment to enhance ‘co-

creation’ and ‘co-production’, eventually resulting in a feeling of ‘co-ownership’?

Courtesy: Ecole du Magasin

Which characteristics in successful learning practices implementing the Web

2.0 technology may serve as a role module for redesigning learning environments in

similar or less similar contexts?

Main research question?

Courtesy: Friese Poort

Characteristics of a given learning practice?

Motivation and ownership of all participants involved

Characteristics of the context

Contents of the learning practice

Didactical strategies

Options in media and communications

The target Group and other people involved

Available learning environment

Other conditions contributing to the

success

Research methodology?

Finding examples of successful learning practices

Study of literature in which all information on the examined learning practices will be listed

Analysis and evaluation of the examined learning practices

Video footage of the learning practice showing the characteristics and major success in vision

Questions for the discussion…..