Building a Path from Here to There
Autonomous learning requires self-regulation of knowledge, and skills to prioritize and monitor thoughts, attention, information, time, and procedures. These are the goal-oriented enterprises of executive functioning, and are instrumental in the transfer of knowledge across domains, and preparation for the advancement of future learning. Students with high metacognitive knowledge, who are aware of the purpose and value of learning, become better problem-solvers because they utilize effective executive strategies to self-regulate, strategize, and adjust their behaviors in order to reach a determined goal.
At College Prep, we recognize that brains, much like bodies, develop at varying rates. Development is not always directly tied to age or grade, so we teach students developmentally and individually.
Assessments of developmental executive functions give us a starting point. We identify the scholarly phases of learning - Learner, Thinker, Leader.
1. Learner: A Learner works to manage and organize personal space, time, materials, thoughts, words, and actions to accomplish the given tasks.
2. Thinker: A Thinker is self-driven and motivated, a problem solver, completes given tasks on her own, and seeks opportunity to further her understanding.
3. Leader: A Leader maintains ownership and mastery of his person and his education, inspires peers by example, motivates change through action, and succeeds in service to others.
This is a three step road map to help navigate students to the goals of metacognition and autonomous learning.
In the end, we want children to be confident in their abilities, to raise their self-esteem, and encourage others in the same. We want them to be consciously aware of their thoughts, words, and actions, and how they affect themselves and others. We want them to be able to think efficiently and communicate effectively - in speaking and in writing. We want them not just to read but to understand what they are reading and question the validity in relation to their own standards; we want to increase their patience, stamina, and ability to focus in a world plagued with constant distraction, information, and instant gratification. We want them to be curious, creative problem solvers because we know that the minds that created the problems our world faces today are not the minds that will solve them. We want them to leave here and venture into the world with the abilities to take charge of their own choices, and to lead great lives.
Have a creative week. Happy Learning!