Modern Learning Environments aimed at equitable outcomes and relationship building.
The eight basics of motivation
Students are more motivated to engage in learning when:-
they perceive stable links between specific actions and achievement
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they feel competent to do what is expected of them
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they value the subject and have a clear sense of purpose
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they perceive the environment as favourable for learning, and
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they experience positive emotions towards learning activities.
6. direct their attention away from learning when they experience negative emotions
7. are more persistent in learning when they can manage their resources and deal with obstacles efficiently
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free up cognitive resources for learning when they are able to
influence the intensity, duration and expression of their emotions.
The seven principles of learning
This project has explored the nature of learning through the perspectives of cognition, emotion and biology, and provided analyses of the implication for different types of application in learning environments. The research was synthesised to create seven transversal ‘principles’ to guide the development of learning environments for the 21st century.Learners at the centre
The learning environment recognises the learners as its core participants, encourages their active engagement and develops in them an understanding of their own activity as learners.- Learners are the central players in the environment and therefore activities centre on their cognition and growth.
- Learning activities allow students to construct their learning through engagement and active exploration.
- This calls for a mix of pedagogies, which includes guided and action approaches, as well as co-operative, inquiry based and service learning.
- The environment aims to develop ‘self-regulated learners’, who:
- develop meta-cognitive skills
- monitor, evaluate and optimise the acquisition and use of knowledge
- regulate their emotions and motivations during the learning process
- manage study time well
- set higher specific and personal goals, and are able to monitor them.
The social nature of learning
The learning environment is founded on the social nature of learning and actively encourages well-organised co-operative learning.- Neuroscience confirms that we learn through social interaction – the organisation of learning should be highly social.
- Co-operative group work, appropriately organised and structured, has demonstrated very clear benefits for achievement as well as for behavioural and affective outcomes. Co-operative methods work for all types for students because, done well, they push learners of all abilities.
- Personal research and self-study are naturally also important, and the opportunities for autonomous learning should grow as students mature.
