FAQ: Observing for Learning
- What is reported in an Observing for Learning entry?
- Can children write their own Observing for Learning entries in SelfDesign?
- How much time will it take to do the Observing for Learning entries each week?
- Q. What is reported in Observing for Learning entry?
- Each week families provide an Observing for Learning journal entry that is focused on what their child/ren were engaged in during that week. This engagement can include passion, delight, concentration, wonder, frustration, excitement. Each of these is an indicator of a child's involvement, and an authentic reflection of their learning. We understand that the range of interests may vary week to week and that not all areas of the Learning Plan will be addressed each week. We do ask that families provide meaningful observing that provides sufficient detail to make the Observing for Learning entry useful and relevant in terms of the on-going interactions with the LC and family. We also ask that this is done on a timely basis in order to keep the entries fresh and relevant. Some families keep daily notes on their Observings and then compile the Observing for Learning entry at the end of each week (writing takes approximately an hour each week depending on the amount of detail provided and your keyboarding skill. For the Essentials level, this will happen on a bi-monthly basis). More information about Observing for Learning is provided elsewhere on this website, and samples of various styles of Journal entries will be provided by your LC upon request.
- Q. Can children write their own Observing for Learning entries in SelfDesign?
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Yes! If children and their parents feel they can write an adequate Observing for Learning entry, children may wish to contribute to meeting this responsibility. It can be a very rich experience for a learner with sufficient writing skills (and desire) to journal his or her learning experiences and emotional responses during the week.
Many learners have said that they value and enjoy completing their own Observing for Learning entries for the following reasons (and many parents confirm these sentiments):
- Children like taking ownership of this activity and cultivating a personal relationship with a supportive Learning Consultant
- They come to appreciate how writing about their own learning and learning processes deepens their awareness of their learning
- They value the writing practice that comes with completing an Observing for Learning entry
If you think that your child/ren may wish to complete their own Observing for Learning entries, we suggest that you emphasize to them that this is an opportunity or invitation that they may find interesting and valuable, rather than something they need to do. A way to approach this activity is as an experiment, to see if they do value it, and then deciding how much of their own journaling they wish to take on for the remainder of the year. Maybe they want to complete one of four monthly Observing for Learning entries, maybe two, maybe all of them -- these choices are yours to make in your family. We also encourage you to include your Learning Consultant in discussions and decisions on this issue.
- Q. How much time will it take to do the Observing for Learning entries each week?
- Using our customized software interface, families have access to forms that enable them to effectively create Observing for Learning entries and correspond with their Learning Consultant. This data remains online in the Learner's "Planner" (student folder) and is accessible by the LC to reflect upon and respond. Most parents report that they can complete the actual writing in up to an hour each week per child, depending upon the depth of the Observings.
