We have been back at college for almost three weeks and all students are beginning to settle into the unique IFS community.
Our open learning spaces have been brought to life by the students who walk through their doors each day. Students are becoming more comfortable in the spaces and much of the work I am seeing produced is of a high standard. Each student is gaining valuable skills that will develop and enhance their learning and working lives.
Bec’s blog this week looked at developing the ‘need to know’ skills and how students work on compiling questions about the work and tasks set so that they can use them to develop a pathway and guide for their learning of the content.
In the open learning space each day from 1.10pm-2pm all students engage in a period of focused learning time. This part of the day allows for independent study with minimal noise and distractions. It is expected that students will plan for the work they wish to complete prior to this time to allow them to continue with their learning. Focused learning is a vital skill to develop, as we live in such a busy world with so many distractions. It is also a skill that needs to be practised daily. It allows students to train their brain and attention on specific tasks and will be beneficial when sitting an exam, for example, where complete silence and focus is expected.
I have observed a complete shift in the open learning space with the introduction of the focused learning time. The first time when asked to be quiet, it was a competition to see who could make the most noise – a natural response to being asked to do something is doing the complete opposite! We now find, however, the quiet space is respected. Although still needing to be reminded to focus at the beginning of the session, come 2pm the students are still working quietly and the afternoon remains productive and focused.
I think the students now appreciate the time, as one commented to me today, “I got so much done in that time. I love it.”
Focused learning is allowing a true appreciation of the opportunity for quiet study, developing an essential life long skill and empowering our students to have the confidence to make good choices about their learning.
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