Landscape Model of Learning
STUDENT-DRIVEN LEARNING
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Landscape, Ecosystem, Horizon–these are not just geography terms they are key components of the world students traverse on their learning journey. As educators we must understand that this personal/individual journey places the student at the center of their learning journey.
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How well do you feel your educational context is addressing the learning needs of students as individuals? If you asked your students how supported and heard they feel, what do you think they might say?
How well do you feel your educational context encourages engaged, student-centered practices? To what extent do you use pedagogical strategies that encourage student voice and choice, and where do you see opportunities to increase student agency in your community?
How inclusive were your own educational experiences? As part of the minority or majority culture, with whatever learning needs or talents you might have had, did you ever experience implicit bias from educators? If so, how did it impact your learning, sense of self, or both?
How are you already finding ways to get to know your students’ broader contexts and understand what they bring into the learning ecosystem with them? What strategies have worked, and how might you learn more about your students’ strengths, interests, values, identities, and previous learning experiences?
How are you already defining learning goals with or for your students? How might you involve students more in that process, and how will you make sure your perceptions don’t interfere with establishing a limitless horizon in collaboration with them?
How are you already personalizing the pathways and supporting your students’ needs? How might you involve students more in estab lishing the pathway through their learning journeys, to make sure each student gets the right supports and challenges along the way?
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Check out these additional resources:
Get the Book: The Landscape Model of Learning by Jennifer D. Klein & Kapono Ciotti