A major challenge to contemporary education is to meet the Government’s directive, depicted in OFSTED guidelines and the Department for Education’s Teacher Standards that all our learners make progress, are autonomous and are able to engage in independent learning. However they offer no guidance as to how this can be achieved. The research has built on earlier theories to close the gap between Government measurements of the quality of teaching and twenty-first century educational theories, with particular focus on learning talk. The primary intention of this research was to determine the impact that dynamically dialogic learning conversations, that is learning talk, have on deepening learning, and how they may be used to enable teachers to meet OFSTED’s requirement for all students to make progress. The data for this case study was collected through a process of lesson observations, interviews and focus-group discussions over a period of one year. Sixteen lessons were video-recorded for a variety of topics and the recordings were analysed in depth against established theories of learning and the complex patterns and relationships between the different types of student and teacher learning talk observed in the classroom. The outcome of the analysis is a set of observable characteristics of learning talk which form an Observation Database. The findings support the premise that learning talk in the classroom leads to deeper learning. The Observation Database contains of a set of tools for observing, evaluating and enabling learning talk in the classroom and therefore offers teachers the opportunity to demonstrate OFSTED criteria. The process of developing the Observation Database and the tools developed have been shared both locally and nationally to heighten awareness of learning talk in the classroom and its link to deeper learning.

This doctoral thesis presents the findings of a mixed methods case study of Learning Skills, a new approach to Learning to Learn that was developed and implemented at a secondary school in the south of England between 2010 and 2014, and evaluated using data collected between 2009 and 2017. Learning to Learn is a field of educational theory and practice that aims to help young people get better at learning by focusing on the processes of learning (the how as well as the what), and by enabling them to take ownership over aspects of their own learning through activities such as goal setting, self-monitoring and structured reflection. The field has developed significantly throughout the last 40 years, with a number of approaches having been implemented on a large scale in the UK. Research into metacognition and self-regulation suggests that Learning to Learn programmes should help boost academic attainment. To date however, large-scale evaluations have found mixed results, with no clear impact on academic attainment. Using an intervention design used widely in medicine and other fields, Learning Skills reconceptualises Learning to Learn as a 'complex intervention' comprised of multiple areas of evidence-informed practice. The rationale for complex interventions is that the marginal gains emerging from any individual avenue of practice stack up and interact to yield a larger effect size overall. The Learning Skills programme, which started as a year seven taught course and developed into a whole-school approach to teaching and learning, focuses centrally on three key concepts: metacognition, self-regulation and oracy. This evaluation of Learning Skills incorporates eight strands of data collection and analysis over an eight-year period, using the previous year group at the same school as a control group. These include baseline measures; attitude to learning scores; psychometric questionnaires; a language of learning evaluation; reflective learning journals; student interviews; teacher interviews; and student attainment across all subjects in years nine and 11. The primary outcome analysis - student attainment across all subject areas at three and five years - found that Learning Skills cohort one achieved significantly higher grades than the control cohort, with accelerated gains among young people from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Secondary data analysis incorporating a range of qualitative and quantitative methods indicates a causal relationship between Learning Skills and academic attainment. As well as evaluating the impact of a new and promising approach to Learning to Learn, this study generates new knowledge about the implementation and evaluation of complex interventions in education.

Siekimas užtikrinti geresnį mokinių mokymąsi tapo pagrindiniu Lietuvos švietimo sistemos iššukiu. Mokėjimo mokytis kompetencija apima mokymosi kaip vertingo ir visą gyvenimą trunkančio proceso sampratą, mokėjimą kelti ir įgyvendinti mokymosi tikslus bei būti atsakingu už savo mokymosi rezultatus. Vis dažniau yra vartojama kompetencijos samprata švietimo kontekste, pateikiamos įvairios šios sąvokos interpretacijos Lietuvos ir užsienio mokslininkų. Tyrimo tikslas: Atskleisti mokymosi mokytis kompetencijos ugdymo vadybinus aspektus pagrindinėje mokykloje. Tyrimo uždaviniai: 1.Atlikti mokslinės literatūros analizę apie mokėjimo mokytis kompetenciją, išryškinant konstruktyvistinį jos pobūdį. 2. Atskleisti mokytojų požiūrį į metodologines ir metodines mokėjimo mokytis kompetencijos ugdymo prielaidas.3.Ištirti mokyklos vadovų požiūrį į planavimo vaidmenį ugdant mokinių mokėjimo mokytis kompetencijas. 4.Atskleisti mokytojų ir mokyklos vadovų požiūrį į mokėjimo mokytis kompetencijos ugdymą . Tyrimo metodai: Mokslinės literatūros ir švietimo dokumentų analizė; Ankėtinė mokytojų ir vadovų apklausa; Interviu su mokyklos vadovu; Statistinė empirinių duomenų analizė. Tyrimo imtis. 162 respondentai: 60 vadovų ir 102 Vilniaus miesto pagrindinių mokyklų mokytojai. Išvados: 1.Teorinės mokslinės literatūros įžvalgos parodė, kad šiuolaikinėje didaktikoje, vis labiau įsigalint konstruktivystinei paradigmai, keičiasi požiūris į... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / Striving for better learning for all pupils and doing it in the most effective and efficient way has become a priority for Lithuania’s educational system. The learning to learn competence is considered to be the most important and valuable concept in today‘s education. The present school headmaster, managers and all the teachers are facing high demands in today‘s education for they are responsible for the crucial aspects improving students’ competence of learning abilities to learn i. e planning, organizing, staffing, leading, and controlling the whole domain. The Aim: To investigate the managerial aspects of learning to learn competence at secondary school. Objectives: 1. To analyze the learning to learn competence in scientific literature, highlightning its constructivist features .2. To investigate teachers' methodical and methodological attitudes to the development of learning to learn competence 3. To investigate the school principals‘ attitude to planning as one of the aspects to develop students‘ learning to learn competence. 4. To reveal teachers‘ and school principals‘ approach to learning to learn competence educational assumptions. Methods used: The analysis of science literature and the survey of standard acts; questionnairing teachers and school principals‘ , statistic analysis of empiric data. Sampling:162 respondents (102 teachers and 60 school principals) from schools in Vilnius... [to full text]

Per pastaruosius metus Lietuvos švietime inicijuoti ženklūs pokyčiai„ Lietuvos pradinio ir pagrindinio ugdymo programose keliamas tikslas plėtoti dvasines, intelektines ir fizines asmens galias, ugdyti aktyvų, kūrybingą, atsakingą pilietį, įgijusį kompetencijas, būtinas sėkmingai socialinei integracijai ir mokymuisi visą gyvenimą “(Pradinio ir pagrindinio ugdymo bendrosios programos, Žin., 2008., Nr. 99-3848). Mokytojo ir mokinio vaidmuo turi keistis, norint pereiti prie gilaus į kompetencijas orientuoto mokymosi tenka keisti mokinio ir mokytojo vaidmenis bei sąveiką pamokoje. Mokiniai turi mokėti mokytis patys: kelti klausimus ir problemas, tyrinėti, ieškoti informacijos, priimti sprendimus, įtvirtinti savo žinias. Mokytojas nukreipia ir stebi mokinių mokymąsi, laiku suteikia konkretų, individualizuotą grįžtamąjį ryšį apie sėkmę ir spragas, padeda tiems, kuriems jo pagalba būtinai reikalinga, moko mokinius vertinti ir įsivertinti procesą ir jo rezultatus, kelti tolesnio mokymosi tikslus. Remdamasis turima informacija apie mokinių mokymąsi ir pasiekimus, mokytojas planuoja ir pritaiko ugdymo turinį (Gudynas ir kt., 2010). Temos aktualumas. Nuo 2008 metų Lietuvos bendrojo lavinimo mokyklose įgyvendinamos atnaujintos Pradinio ir pagrindinio ugdymo Bendrosios programos (patvirtintos švietimo ir mokslo ministro 2008 m. rugpjūčio 26 d. įsakymu Nr. ISAK-2433). Viena svarbiausių ugdymo turinio kaitos krypčių įgyvendinant Bendrąsias programas – dėmesys bendrųjų kompetencijų... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / Learning to learn competence lays the foundation of developing other competencies therefore it is very important to analyse and recognize the competence of learning to learn in the lesson of physical education. The aim of the lesson of physical education – to make sure students have proper conditions for the development of their physical, emotional and social activities, for the social integrity and strengthening physical health by increasing the choice of physical education and hence strengthening inner motivation of physical activity (General programmes of secondary education, 2011). In order to ensure the quality of general competencies and social skills, to lead meaningful personal, successful and full-fledged social and professional life in a dynamic world, a person has to be able to change, to be ready to take on new activities, to be able to work with information which is constantly increasing. The objective of the paper - the development of the competence of lifelong learning skills for 5th or 8th formers during the lesson of physical education. Aim of the paper –to disclose the competence of life-long learning skills for the students of 5th or 8th form during the lesson of physical education. Tasks of the paper: 1. To describe the development of the competence of life-long learning skills in physical education lessons. 2. To evaluate the competence of life-long learning skills of 5th or 8th form students in physical education lessons. Results: After having... [to full text]

Denna uppsats, Läraren och den praktiska verkligheten, handlar om hur lärare gör för att omforma sina ämneskunskaper till ämnesdidaktiska, vilka metoder de använder i undervisningen för att medvetandegöra elevernas inlärning, samt hur lärarna gör för att utmana och inspirera elevernas lärande och kunskapsutveckling. Teorierna som använts i studien är läranderum, proximala utvecklingszonen, autonomous learning, learning to learn och pedagogical content knowledge, vilka även ligger till grund för den analyserande delen. Resultaten i studien visar att en fungerande gruppdynamik är avgörande för en god arbetsmiljö, en ständig dialog utifrån elevens perspektiv bör föras för att skapa medvetenhet hos eleven gällande lärprocessen. Utveckling av självständigt lärande sker genom tydlig kommunikation mellan lärare och elever, det vill säga att läraren är tydlig med anledningen till arbetsområdet, informationen kring anvisningarna, samt finns som en tydlig vägledare för att guida eleven genom ämnet. Vidare handlar omformning av ämneskunskaper för lärare i praktiken om att reflektera, utvärdera och utveckla planeringen och den genomförda undervisningen.

This thesis uses complexity theory to explore education in the context of a changing curriculum called ‘Opening Minds’. This new curriculum was introduced in the case study school in response to a wider curriculum change which emphasised ‘learning to learn’ and the development of ‘skills for the 21st Century’. In this study, a ‘complexity thinking’ theoretical framework was adopted, drawing especially on the work of Osberg and Biesta (Osberg et al., 2008, Osberg and Biesta, 2007, Biesta and Osberg, 2007) and Davis and Sumara (2006; 2007), paying particular attention to concepts of emergence and complexity reduction. Complexity theory, through the ‘logic of emergence’ offers a challenge to mechanistic approaches to understanding the world which, despite the work of postmodern and poststructural scholars in education, remains dominant in educational practice. The Opening Minds curriculum that is the focus of this case study demonstrated the potential to challenge this mechanistic approach, as the teachers expressed a desire to work in different, flexible and creative ways: this thesis therefore explores complexity theory’s challenge to a mechanistic approach in this particular case. It also addresses the relationship between Opening Minds and science education using complexity thinking. To facilitate exploration and analysis of the case, concepts of temporal and relational emergence and complexity reduction to develop a ‘complexity thinking’ understanding of concepts of agency/structure, power, identity and reflexivity. This entailed reconceptualisation of these ideas in a temporal-relational sense that explicitly incorporates a sensitivity to emergence. Specifically, an additional dimension to Emirbayer and Mische’s (1998) construction of multidimensional agency was added: that of creative agency. The research was conducted as a case study in which a ‘bricolage’ approach to data collection and analysis was used as part of an explicitly ‘complex’ methodology, addressing questions of the challenge of complexity reduction and ethics in research drawing on complexity theory. The findings indicated a challenge for teachers in negotiating tensions as they attempted to adopt approaches that could be considered ‘emergent’ alongside other ‘mechanistic’ practices. These tensions were explored in detail in relation to the concept of ‘reflection’, and in the interaction between science and Opening Minds. Bringing together the empirical and theoretical work in this study, it is suggested that mechanistic and emergent aspects may helpfully be viewed as a ‘vital simultaneity’ within the educational relationship (Davis, 2008) with the interaction between them facilitated by creative agency within a ‘pedagogy of interruption’ (Biesta, 2006). It was further argued that reflection could be used in responsive and flexible ways to support both learning and assessment as a crucial aspect of a pedagogy of interruption. Such a ‘contingently responsive and creative pedagogy’ may support the interaction between science and Opening Minds productively. It is suggested that complex approach to a pedagogy of interruption could support teachers in engaging with the creative and diverse elements of science or learning to learn curricula whilst maintaining the mechanistic aspects of teaching that support students in learning key concepts and skills.

CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeiÃoamento de Pessoal de NÃvel Superior / O tema central deste trabalho à o conceito e a prÃtica do aprender a aprender na EducaÃÃo de Jovens e Adultos (EJA), procedendo-se à investigaÃÃo, à anÃlise e à descriÃÃo do modo de como esse processo à compreendido e vivenciado pelas docentes e pelos estudantes, da alfabetizaÃÃo à quarta sÃrie, em escolas municipais que atuam na EJA. Dada a complexidade do tema, este estudo apoia-se numa base metodolÃgica multirreferencial, valorizando tanto os conhecimentos sistematizados por autores de diversas linhas de pensamento e Ãreas cientÃficas - Psicologia, Pedagogia, Sociologia, Filosofia, HistÃria -, como os dos sujeitos pesquisados - professores e alunos da EJA -, situados em suas circunstÃncias de vida e de aprendizagem. Os dados revelam que o aprender a aprender, na prÃtica das escolas municipais, mescla as necessidades particulares de cada professora, as convicÃÃes pedagÃgicas delas, as improvisaÃÃes que se fazem necessÃrias para o ajuste das aulas na realidade da EJA, o que foi deliberadamente ensinado e o que foi descoberto pelos alunos e alunas na e fora da escola. As contribuiÃÃes teÃricas das ciÃncias podem atuar como auxiliares dos educadores nesse processo, mas nÃo lhe oferecem receitas a seguir. Como conclusÃo, esta pesquisa apresenta que o aprender a aprender nÃo seguiu nem segue um Ãnico mÃtodo que possa ser sistematicamente descrito e reproduzido. Toda informaÃÃo que chega ao indivÃduo ajuda-o no traÃado de sua aprendizagem. Fora da escola essa prÃtica à corrente vivida por todas as pessoas, desde o nascimento. / The theme of this paper is the concept and practice of learning to learn for Youth and Adults Education (EJA), carrying out research, analysis and description of the method of how this process is understood and experienced by teachers and students of literacy to fourth grade in public schools that operate in Youth and Adults Education (EJA), Given the complexity of the issue, this study is based on a methodological multi-referenced basis for, highlighting both the knowledge documented by authors from various schools of thought and science - Psychology, Education, Sociology, Philosophy, History â and that of research subjects, teachers and students of adult education as located in their circumstances of life and learning. The data shows that learning to learn in municipal schools practice combines the needs of each teacher, their teaching beliefs, and the improvisations that are necessary to fit the classes in the reality of adult education, which was deliberately taught and which was discovered by pupils and students in and out of school. The theoretical contributions of the sciences can act as auxiliaries to educators in this process, but does not offer recipes to follow. In conclusion, this research shows that learning to learn has not and does not follow a single method that can be systematically described and reproduced. Any and all information that reaches the student helps their learning. Both in and outside of the school this practice is the wide experience of all people,from birth.

From 1990 to 1993 I was engaged as the Information Technology (IT) Workshop manager at Mid-Cornwall College, St. Austell. My mission during this period was to develop a new kind of IT learning environment. The main purpose was - and continues to be - to provide for mixed 'open-access’ student targets wishing to pursue generic IT activities and gain commensurate vocational qualifications. This Open-Learning (OL) environment provides on-the-job curriculum development of IT learning support systems, through a Flexible Learning (FL) management policy. An action research approach based on S-O-L provides both the methodology and technology for implementing a learning organisation. A key objective was institutional change towards the learning management policy of IT, through appropriate deployment of staffing and courseware resources to enable the practice of student centred learning. Another aim was to integrate and mix all target groups of learners together in the same domain, i. e. school leavers with adult returners for the achievement of a cost-effective, well-co-ordinated and productive learning environment. My action research applied the Centre for the Study of Human Learning's (CSHL's) ideas and tools towards the development of the IT Workshop's learning policy. I have sought to make the connection between FL delivery of the generic IT curriculum and the SOL approach towards individual and organisational learning. This came about from the link between the FL philosophy of learner-centred activity and the SOL philosophy of empowering individuals via Learning Conversations. S-O-L'Systems-7' was adopted as a conversational tool for developing the educational roles and practices of the IT Workshop. This influenced my college to make essential environmental changes to the workshop in order to develop these activities. The project also used the Personal Learning Contract (PLC) to manage and enable the 'learning-to-learn' activities of individual IT learners. With the PLC as the central tool for implementing Learning Conversations, there evolved the idea of 'Group Learning Contracts' (GLCs). This led to the practical development of 'Learning Plans' (LPs), such that IT flexible modules could be transferred to the autonomy of the learner. Evaluations from this project included sample case-study evidences of Learning Conversations obtained from individual IT case-load students. Repertory grid feedback conversations of learning experienced by individual staff members taking part in the project were also obtained. Questionnaire results from IT learners was used as another method of feedback, and conversationally evaluated using factor analysis and 'talkback' records. All the action research qualitative evidences were finally analysed using conversational techniques, leading to the overall project 'findings'.

This thesis develops methods of task localization, task similarity discovery, and task transfer for eventual use in a reinforcement learning task library system, which can effectively “learn to learn,” improving its performance as it encounters various tasks over the lifetime of the learning system.

No description available.