My first thoughts on expeditionary learning or EL is that it seems less valuable at certain ages. It is my experience that in middle school and high school kids are less likely to value learning on their own. Compared to elementary school and college when people are more likely to fail or try something new. However, the concept of increased individual thought needs to be pushed and, in my opinion, can separate some schools in both negative and positive ways. If the school does not consider the students and the limitations, they may have, or the curriculum allows too much freedom and not enough guidance from the teacher then the students will be worse off. The environment in which a student lives both economically outside of the classroom and school district, and their social circle in school can make learning very difficult. Meaning when observing the classroom, it will be important to watch and see who speaks the most why they speak and the reaction of others in the room when they speak. This area will have more external influences on students depending on age some students might have external factors that are making them more tired, to include farm hands that are waking up at 5 to work on the farm. With all these limitations I think it is important to inspire hope in the students to show them that there is more and that they can be more. Considering all the limitations that some students might be facing this may have a direct impact on their ability to participate in their own expeditionary learning.
Shenandoah Valley Journal Declan Franklin’s
by franklindl23 | Sep 6, 2022 | Learning Philosophies | 1 comment
Declan, You’ve made an astute point about learning development. However, if you watch a baby connect with the world, they are learning on their own all the time. It’s a matter of encouraging those habits and normalizing occasions for self- exploration and mastery. This is very Montessori. It doesn’t necessarily mean you’re not learning on your own. You are contributing to a community and to self, simultaneously.
Still, giving individual attention, meeting students where they are to help them identify their strengths is crucial to doing learning inquiries.
Please include some of your reading notations to connect with these comments.
MAJ Hodde