The great aim of education is not knowledge, but action.
Herbert Spencer
Educators understand that to teach is to help students learn. In a constantly changing, knowledge-based society, the capacity for independent learning has become increasingly important for success.
Active Learning implies that students own their learning through meaningful engagement. Gone is the notion of students as empty vessels that are filled with knowlege. As the adage says: "Give a fish and feed them for a day. Teach them to fish and they feed themselves for a lifetime."
The fundamental question of educators these days is: How can we guide students to become active learners? How do we get them hooked?
March is designated "Active Learning" month at Algonquin College. March Madness professional development sessions provide opportunities to explore this question, as do the articles in this spring newsletter.
Afterall, to teach fishing, we must continue to fish.
Each issue of the Learning and Teaching Newsletter will take as its theme one competency from the Professor of the 21st Century document, endorsed by the College Academic Council in April, 2004.
The Professor of the 21st Century creates engaging learning environments for individuals and groups and supports learners at risk.
The Professor
- Establishes rapport with a variety of learners.
- Establishes and maintains learning environments that help students learn.
- Promotes and sustains learner motivation.
- Identifies and supports learners “at risk”.
