Making Learning Visible
In this era of globalization, our ability to learn and function as part of diverse groups is essential to our capacity to survive and thrive. Yet almost all assessment and most aspects of instruction in schools focus on promoting individual performance and achievement. You will investigate the power of the group as a learning environment, and documentation as a way to shape, extend, and make visible how and what we learn.
“Visible learning” is a ground-breaking concept. It establishes that learning must be seen and obvious, not assumed. Let us understand this concept using height as an example. When establishing a change or difference, it’s not enough to see the difference in height between one person who is 5’3” and another who is 5’4”. Instead, a more obvious visible difference, like between a person who is 5’5” and one who is is 6” tall, is a better teacher of height difference. It’s exciting to think that with some scaffolding, and the intentional use of specific strategies and assessment, you will be able to identify exactly what part of the teaching process worked, and student learning will be visible.