Learning and Teaching
Learning and Teaching - Vision for Instruction
How we learn...
To continue the work around the Vision for Instruction, we have been exploring how humans learn.
Learning occurs when new information is actively processed in working memory and successfully transferred to long-term memory, where it connects with prior knowledge. Without this cognitive effort—without thinking—there is no real learning. The diagram below illustrates this journey: without active encoding and cognitive effort, information never makes the leap, and true learning doesn’t happen.
The Simple Model of the Mind (visualised below) offers a clear framework for how learning works. It includes:
- Attention and Environment – filtering out distractions and attending to learning
- Working Memory – the mental space where active thinking happens
- Long-Term Memory – the destination for knowledge that sticks
- Learning – the result of hard thinking and memory retention
- Remembering - the act of retrieving information to strengthen memory
To ensure learning is occuring, we have adapted some of our teaching strategies over the last twelve months, this includes:
- Starting lessons with a daily review - retrieving information
- Giving longer wait times (for thinking to occur)
- Using cold calling
- Questioning strategies
- Focused attention cues
- Checking for understanding using multiple strategies including mini white boards
We will continue to bring you information about what learning looks like at OLSC throughout the year. If you have questions about these strategies, please feel free to reach out to Bec.
Bec Tardrew
Deputy Principal
Learning and Teaching Leader