Reflection on the learner position

Learning is a word that we hear more and more in speeches and in circles. A teacher can now position himself as a learner. But concretely, what is it? What do we have to gain from it? 

The engagement and the process

The Office québécois de la langue française (OQLF) proposes the following definition of the word learner: “Person engaged in one process oflearning ". First of all, the word “engaged” means having an interest and wanting to learn something. Actions will be taken to perform the learning. Being engaged is showing determination and asking questions. The process, on the other hand, implies that there are several steps to be taken before reaching the learning goal. In short, being a learner is daring to take action in order to move forward along a path that you know or explore. 

Change glasses

Anyone can be a learner or has to be a learner at one time or another, whether for personal or professional good. To become one, you must accept and recognize that it is possible, even necessary, to add one or more string (s) to your bow. You have to put on your curious and ambitious glasses and put away the comfortable and usual ones. I would add an important thing, we must see professional development as a proof of investment and not as a weakness. 

Nothing to lose, everything to gain

When you give yourself the gift of taking the time to develop professionally or personally, the process can only be positive. In fact, what do you have to lose by wanting to try something? The worst that can happen is that it does not work or that it does not reach us. It will then be easier to align with something else by knowing what we liked less.

In concrete terms, listening to a podcast, reading an article or even exploring an application in class places us in a position of learner. Then, it is up to the person to commit so that these actions have a positive impact in their practice. For example, if listening to a podcast on the sketchnote makes you want to try it in class, why not? We rework, review and try again later so that this new discomfort becomes more comfortable.

Note that Laurie will facilitate 2 workshops of 3 hours during our next CréaCamp SPRINT, November 20 : a first on the digital work plan, and a second on the sketchnoting. Do not hesitate to register for one or the other of these courses!