DEEPER LEARNING

MARIVIC B. TOLENTINO

The 20th-century approach to education involves lectures and rote learning. But is it standing in the way of quality education?

What students should be able to do and know, called deeper learning, should be employed by educators. It is a set of learning outcomes for students that include: Mastery of core academic content; Critical thinking and problem solving; Productive collaboration; Effective communication; An ability to direct their own learning; and exhibit a strong academic mindset. These are necessary for engaging students, and are effective, too, with all students. According to a study, deeper learning results to better test scores, which is a winwin for teachers and students alike. Students are more likely to enroll in four-year colleges, and have higher levels of academic engagement and motivation to learn.

Students can still achieve 21st century skills without compromising the learning process. First off, students can learn even outside the four corners of the classroom. Teachers are actually just one source; there are countless others out there.

Students should also be encouraged to take responsibility for their own learning by pursuing their interests.

Also, it won’t hurt to use social media - with limitations, of course. They can use Facebook, Twitter and the like for a lot of purposes, not just taking selfies and posting memes.

Again, there are multiple sources of knowledge out there - all students have to do is identify them to further enhance their learning.

If they fail at a certain endeavor, they should not be discouraged and try again. Failure is actually a process for real learning and achievement.

— oOo— The author is Teacher III at Dolores Elementary School