Creating a Significant Learning Environment

My ideal learning environment allows my students to work in groups or individuals to use inquiry to
solve problems to real world problems and gain knowledge through experiences. As part of my masters
degree in Digital learning and leading I was tasked to write an ​innovation proposal​ and a ​plan to implement
these ideas into my classroom. Both outline my ideas to integrate project based learning and blended learning
to achieve my ideal classroom environment.

The power of play is outlined and emphasised in the book ​A New

Culture of Learning: Cultivating the Imagination for a World of Constant
Change ​by ​Doug Thomas and John Seely Brown. In both my early
childhood development classes and this book “play” is regarded as one of
the most important actions children can do. Play can allow children to
learn from their environment without judgement. Young children are able
to make mistakes and learn from those mistakes through play. As a high
school teacher, play looks a little different. I plan to use this idea of play or
knowledge through experiences by implementing inquiry and project based
learning in my classroom.

As a biology/science teacher students are a little more accepting of the inquiry model. All of our
knowledge of science has been gained through failure. As a teacher it can be difficult for me to watch my
students “fail,” at different inquiry situations. I want to give my students the answers and help them to
understand, but my students actually gain more when I set away. It sometimes is a struggle to get my students
to take a risk in the classroom because they are afraid to fail. ​ADI or Argument Driven Inquiry​ is a recent
development on the ​CER or Claim Evidence Reasoning​ style to teaching in science and other contents. The
idea of ADI and CER both start with a real life situation or question
that students need to answer using data to support their answer. In
my classroom we practice ADI and CER to develop our analysis skills
and practice drawing data supported conclusions. When I first
started using ADI and CER I really struggled with stepping back and
allowing my students to draw their own conclusions. Many asked
what the correct answer is and I would have to tell them there are
multiple correct answers. It was up to them to draw their own
conclusions and come up with their own answer to the problem. To
many students questions only have one answer but these activities
help them to understand and practice drawing multiple conclusions.

Creating a classroom culture where failure is okay, can be very important in someones’ growth as a
person. The growth mindset will also be implemented in my ideal classroom. By teaching perseverance and
the power of yet I think I could really help my students grow.