PoLT Online Professional Learning Resource – Principle 2

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Guiding Questions

• 2.1 - The teacher encourages and supports students to take responsibility for their learning

• 2.2 - The teacher uses strategies that build skills of productive collaboration

In the tables on this page

• information under 'Getting Started' would be appropriate for those using the Resource who have had little or no experience with the Principles prior to using the Resource
• 'Moving Forward' is appropriate for schools with some experience working with the support materials provided on the web, or who have undertaken PoLT training and have done some component mapping in their school

2.1 - The teacher encourages and supports students to take responsibility for their learning

This component involves structuring learning experiences and providing support and scaffolding to enable students to make choices and take responsibility for their learning. It also involves a focus on students understanding themselves as learners and is facilitated by clear, transparent, criteria-based and often, collaborative, assessment processes.

Download worksheet: Guiding Questions: Principle 2.1 (Word - 158Kb)

Professional Learning Team Facilitator

Getting Started	Moving Forward
How do we provide opportunities for student voice in learning and assessment?	How can we assess this? What learning and teaching strategies will we use?

Individual Teacher

Getting Started	Moving Forward
How do I provide opportunities for student voice in learning and assessment?	How can I assess this? What learning and teaching strategies will I use?

2.2 - The teacher uses strategies that build skills of productive collaboration

This component involves students collaborating on meaningful tasks and responses to questions. While the teacher uses strategies (such as cooperative learning strategies and strategic selection of groups) to establish an atmosphere of cooperation and collaboration, the focus is on the meaningful learning. Students actively participate in the negotiation of roles, responsibilities and outcomes. Such collaboration may also involve a whole class focus on related projects, such as an environmental project or community survey.

Download worksheet: Guiding Questions: Principle 2.2 (Word - 159Kb)

Professional Learning Team Facilitator

Getting Started	Moving Forward
What do we do that builds collaboration: with students; between students; and with the broader school community?	What steps will we take towards acting democratically and realising a democratic classroom? What learning and teaching strategies will we use? What sorts of opportunities are students given to work by themselves and in groups; and will they be able to make decisions about how they will work?

Individual Teacher

Getting Started	Moving Forward
What do I do that builds collaboration: with students; between students; and with the broader school community?	What steps will I take towards acting democratically and realising a democratic classroom? What learning and teaching strategies will I use? What sorts of opportunities are students given to work by themselves and in groups; and will they be able to make decisions about how they will work?