Demonstrations of Learning

Learners demonstrate their evolving knowledge, skills, and habits through a variety of modes and at various points in the learning process.

WELL-DEVELOPED LEARNERS

Lightbuld shaped into a brain with connection wires coming from it

Engage in self-directed learning

Evidence of Learner Behaviors

Measure their progress, unprompted by the learning facilitator, against established exemplars or rubrics
Seek out mastery or assessment options because they have determined readiness through self-reflection

Questions to Ask Learners

How do you take charge of your own learning in this environment?
What are some ways you reflect on your learning as you go?

Take initiative to connect learning

Evidence of Learner Behaviors

After learning about a concept or topic, seek out experiences to use the knowledge in other aspects of their life and showcase this to their classmates

Questions to Ask Learners

If you’re really interested in something you learned about, how do you continue learning about it or experiencing it?

Authentically engage with learning

Evidence of Learner Behaviors

Ask questions and try to work with their learning facilitator to design options for mastery (i.e. project topics, different products, etc.)

Questions to Ask Learners

How do you find meaning or relevance in your learning experiences?
What are some ways you work with your learning facilitator to create meaningful learning?

a hand holding a pointer to a chart that shows growth

Check results in learning and change actions if needed

Evidence of Learner Behaviors

Try a new study or learning strategy, considering how it impacts their understanding of the topic, and make changes to the strategy to keep improving it
Use learning tools, such as goal sheets, to measure results and change course to ensure they achieve their goal

Questions to Ask Learners

How do you change your actions when they are not helping you learn?

THE RESEARCH SHOWS

Providing learners with thoughtfully designed ways to demonstrate their understanding ensures opportunities to engage in self-direction and builds agency, sense of motivation, and deeper engagement with learning.

MINDSETS

The way we design opportunities to demonstrate mastery can determine a learner’s success. When learners are given the opportunity to demonstrate mastery in ways that consider their learning styles and interests, it builds motivation and agency.

Educator Actions

Learning facilitators provide a variety of opportunities and ways for learners to demonstrate their knowledge and skills.

CSTPs: 3.1, 4.5, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3

QUICK WIN

The use of choice boards allows learners voice and choice in how they demonstrate mastery in their learning. Choice boards promote relevant learning and offer learners practice at taking initiative and being self-directed.

LESSON-PLANNING AND DESIGN STRATEGIES

Assign a diagnostic task to verify learners have the prerequisite competencies, skills, and knowledge to engage in learning activities (P)
Offer a manageable set of options for demonstrating mastery of learning outcomes that appeal to varying learner preferences and learning modalities (P)
Provide “on demand” assessment options that allow learners to assess mastery when ready (P)
Use planned and spontaneous checks for understanding to monitor learner progress (P/F)
Make the criteria for demonstrating deep mastery clear and accessible through explanations or exemplars (P)
Prompt learners to generalize or connect what they learn to broader contexts and other ideas (F)
Ask learners to critically evaluate new knowledge and concepts (F)

P = planned F = facilitated spontaneously

RESOURCES

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