A Passion for Knowledge: An Introduction to Expeditionary Learning
By Diane Demee-Benoit
6/25/07
When I taught zoology and environmental science, my colleagues and I worked hard to create multifaceted learning experiences because we saw that the kids who truly mastered a subject and developed a greater passion for learning were those who had the opportunity to learn with their mind, heart, and hands.
Today, we have proof from discoveries in the neural-cognitive sciences that the brain learns better when the heart (that is, our emotions) and our hands are actively engaged in the learning. This is the simple brilliance of the expeditionary-learning approach: creating standards-based learning adventures and community-service activities that lead to a deep understanding of a given subject as well as the development of moral character.
For those of you who may not have heard about expeditionary learning, it is a school-improvement concept that builds on the work of Kurt Hahn, founder of Outward Bound, as well as other educational leaders including John Dewey, Ted Sizer, Howard Gardner, and Debbie Meier. The resulting nonprofit group, Expeditionary Learning, partners with individual schools and/or school districts to implement and assess the best curriculum and practices.
Expeditionary learning’s research-based design, combined with its solid teacher-development component, has led to higher student achievement, increased teacher satisfaction, and a more positive culture in those schools that have embraced the expeditionary-learning philosophy as the core foundation of curriculum and instruction.
The number of schools taking hold of expeditionary learning is growing, as discussed in Edutopia’s recent article "River Journeys and Life Without Bathing: Immersive Education."
The short video clip below will introduce you to some of the key ideas of expeditionary learning, and in my upcoming posts I’ll provide from other schools examples that engage the mind, heart, and hands of students.
Please share your thoughts about this program and the video clip.
A Passion for Learning
Expeditionary Learning is only ONE of the vital needs for development. Integrating this approach with a view of researching the for future as opposed to researching the past will make it purposeful for future generations, otherwise it is just a new trick to input information into a child.
Children should become "Builders of Life", which means taking their research, receiving a new vision, and actually doing something about it.
VISION and GOALS keep us focused on a purpose. They help us through difficult times when many others less motivated would give up. Setting visionary goals is a POWERFUL way to reach new levels of achievement. Why? In part, it is due to focusing energy in a specific direction rather that allowing it to be diffused, scattered or lost.
Every young person has a unique career potential waiting to be discovered. An area of life that they can successfully contribute to humanity – a teacher, scientist, artist, politician, healer, etc. Those who are lucky enough to discover and pursue their potential, have the best chance of achieving success, happiness and health in life. Millions of young people throughout the United States are failing to discover and realize their potential and Inspirational Learning Academy is here to help turn that around.
Empowering youth with the opportunity to discover and realize their potential will play a significant role in solving many of our country’s most pressing socio-economic problems, including: drug-use, crime, school drop-out and depression.
many bright smiles,
expeditionary learning
You need to check out the Dubuque, Iowa public school system. They have had an expeditionary learning program there for at least 8 years if not more.
Reaching for the Future , STEM , Expeditionary Learning
Empowering youth with the opportunity to discover and realize their potential will play a significant role in solving many of our country’s most pressing socio-economic problems, including: drug-use, crime, school drop-out and depression.
To do the wonderful work that creates a passion for learning in kids and that changes their world requires school system support and resources.
Let's hope the vision of education in the nation will be changed and more creative, innovative, hands on, minds on initiatives will be accepted and
that evaluations of different types will be accepted as a proof of real learning. Not just paper and pencil testing . We know that there are many ways to assess. Washington is not listening.
It is a great video. In times before we had this type of media to capture the vision. I took pictures and saved them and shared them with parents. Some of those children and parents and I are still in touch. We did our expeditionary learning
at an Outdoor lab with 27 springs, and many trails. Similar program.
Bonnie Bracey Sutton
Personally, I would very much like to work at a school with this kind of an approach and philosophy. I applied to one this year but doubt much will come of my inquiry.
Sadly, I doubt many public schools in my state will buy into this, as we are one of those states that kicked off the "accountability" movement (aka testamania) and anything that does not address doing well on "the test" usually does not receive much consideration.
What is tragic is that we are raising up a generation that will come to hate "learning." What a loss that will be.
I agree with the value of service learning but struggle with how to begin. My current assignment is at a privileged public school where the students more often than not have supportive homes and want for little. My biggest enemy is the hidden apathy, for these students are taught to put on a shiny face.
How do I begin a service-learning venture for my classes?
I don't feel I'm ready for a system/school-wide collaborative effort, this being my first time, yet feel service-learning is a means by which these students will learn something this year they can and will truly remember in all their years to come. I appreciate any brainstorms & shared wisdoms!
A Passion for Knowledge
I feel this is the best way for students to learn. I have read many texts that confirm students learn best through meaningful and hands-on instruction.
I worked with a special education teacher that taught life skills to her students. She had them participate in community service projects that would help teach them the necessary math and reading skills to be succesful not only on the standards-based tests but also successful in everyday life.
I would love to be a part of this kind of learning!
A Passion for Knowledge
After reading this passsage as well as the five responses, I was excited about the belief I have about teaching my own students. I teach Special Education at the third grade level. Although I am categorized Special Ed, my class actually consists of children who have been diagnosed LD (Learning Disabilities). They take longer to process the concept being taught, and I have found that the best way to help that little light bulb go off is through a meaningful and hands on method.
I also work with other Special Ed teachers who teach at higher grade levels and who are required to teach life skills along with the basic academic educating of reading and math to meet that transitioning period that each of our students reach at the age of 18. This again, is best experienced and taught through expeditionary learning. I love this process.
A Passion for Knowledge
I want to learn more about expeditionary learning. Like Bill, I am also in an accountability state and anything that does not address "the test" isn't given a second thought.
Supported by neuroscience!
Entering this blog was a great experience because it reinforces what I am learning and reading about in a course I am currently taking. I think that the cognitive processes of instruction are so important to professional knowledge. I admire the adaptive and creative ways of thinking that was put in to meet the different learning styles of our students.
The video clip provided allowed me to actually see the expeditionary learning process in action. I loved how the students were engaged and learning through different content areas due to their varying learning needs and styles. Touching on all areas of learning also promotes a more likelihood of remembering the content because “the more ways students have the information represented in the brain (through seeing, hearing, being involved with, etc.)”, “the better the memory” (Wolfe, 2003,). The article, Brain-compatible learning: Fad or foundation? ,on neuroscience research confirms and supports the actions taken in this type of learning. I hope to one day engage in a learning experience like this for my students. I will present this idea at my next grade meeting!
article-
http://sylvan.live.ecollege.com/ec/courses/24497/CRS-WUPSYC6205-2739230/...
Critical thinking
As a parent, I find one of the areas that I become most frustrated with schools in the lack of critical thinking skills stressed with students. As a teacher, I know how difficult it is to have every student actively engaged and participating in an activity.
This approach to teaching sounds wonderful, and I wouldlike to hear more about it. This seems like a learning process that would both engage students and make them think critically about their area of study. After all, the students have a vested interest in what they are learning since they were involved in the process of choosing their course of study.