The Personal Learning Space
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The Personal Learning Space:
What is it?
A personal learning space can be described as the tools, resources and community of learners that an individual utilises in the process of directing their own learning and meeting their educational goals (Dabbagh, & Kitsantas, 2012). The personal learning space encompasses three main ideas; self direction in learning, self-efficacy and reflection.
The personal learning space encourages students to think critically about their own learning and the way in which they approach the learning tasks they are presented with.
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Self direction: What is it?
Self direction in learning is described as a process whereby individuals are taking responsibility for their learning, including planning and executing their learning intentions and reflecting on the outcome and success of their own learning (Merriam, Caffarella & Baumgartner, 2012).
Self efficacy: What is it?
Self-efficacy is the ability for an individual to believe in their own capacities and abilities to achieve success. In regards to learning, self-efficacy plays a huge role in determining the success outcomes of the individual learner (Komarraju & Nadler, 2013).
Reflection: What is it?
Reflection is the act of thinking critically about a past event or choice in order to learn from past experience. Reflection involves critiquing the choices that were made in the past in order to develop a new practice for future tasks or events (Boud, Keogh & Walker, 2013).
Cool Schools- Kate Thorn. Retrieved from: http://www.brit.co/coolest-schools/
The Personal Learning Space: FOR TEACHERS
Teaching students to immerse themselves in a personal learning space can be a challenging task. Students need to activate a certain way of thinking that allows them to completely engage in a personal learning space (Illeris, 2009).
As teachers, it is our role to encourage students to think critically about how they are going to engage further in their learning, through self-direction, self-efficacy and critical reflection about the success of their learning (Illeris, 2009).
The positives of a personal learning space, for teachers, are that teachers are able to guide and scaffold students, whilst giving them the flexibility and space to direct their own learning (Dabbagh & Kitsantas, 2012).
One aspect of the personal learning space that teachers might struggle with is ensuring that all students are engaged and "on task". Some students require constant direction and guidance and teachers may find juggling the two types of learners challenging, in regards to the success of the students and their learning (Dabbagh & Kitsantas, 2012).
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The Personal Learning Space: FOR STUDENTS
For students, the personal learning space can be a great environment in that they are in control of their learning. Some strengths of this learning space for students are they they can set their own individual learning goals and work in their own space to achieve them. Students having individual learning goals and working towards them contributes significantly to their positive wellbeing and their sense of self-efficacy (Komarraju & Nadler, 2013).
In a personal learning space, students are able to work in their preferred learning style. Students all learn differently so providing them with a space whereby they can learn how they want to creates a positive learning environment that caters to a range of students needs (Woolfolk & Margetts, 2013).
Students who need direction and to be managed in order to be successful in their learning will struggle with the foundation and concepts of a personal learning space. This learning space works well if students are able to adapt and self direct their learning, however, students who struggle with self direction will not likely reach their highest potential in their learning (Komarraju & Nadler, 2013).
How can we design our classrooms to support personal learning spaces?
- Encourage self directed learning through choice and personalised learning goals - Provide a range of resources for students with different learning styles to use, for example, visuals, technology, books, hands on learning opportunities etc.
- Design our classroom space to support students and scaffold learning (refer to "The Classroom and School" post)
- Instill motivation and inspiration into students through quotes and posters on the walls (see image above)
- Promote reflection and self-efficacy through visuals and support
- Use engaging and relevant content to promote interest amongst students
In order to have an effective personal learning space, students need to self direct their learning, have self-efficacy and critically reflect on their learning.