Developing Expert Learners

The purpose of learning is not to get good grades. The purpose is to be an expert learner. What does it mean to be an expert learner?

 Katie Novak defines expert learners as, "knowledgeable and resourceful, purposeful and motivated, self-directed and strategic." In schools today, we don't always give students enough opportunities to practice becoming an expert learner. We often tell students what the final product should be or give them the resources they need.

 What needs to change in my practice if I want to support teachers as they transform education so all students become expert learners? First, we need to create environments where it is okay to take risks and to fail. Second, we need to be flexible and allow our students and teachers to make choices. If there is no flexibility, how will people be self-directed? Finally, we need to celebrate the risk-taking and resiliency of our students and teachers to keep trying to constantly transform education.

For our group project, our TOSA Team created a few resources on Why, What, and How to be an Expert Learner. Here is a link to our resources: Developing Expert Learners Presentation

 Learn more about Expert Learners in Katie's Video below:

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