One Size Does Not Fit All

Bill Blynt
Feb 16, 2009

The credo of Learning-Focused is 'Adapt, Don't Adopt' strategies. Learning-Focused is a model that provides teachers with a framework to plan for a variety of strategies that have proven to be effective in maximizing the achievement level of all students. It is a toolbox containing a variety of tools to be selected by the teacher for use in their classroom. Each tool has a purpose and is not effective in all cases. It is the teacher who must consider the intended learning outcome and the needs of their particular classroom of students when selecting the right tool or tools to use in a given situation. Many teachers have articulated concern that the Learning-Focused Model stifles their professional creativity. This is unfounded. The Learning-Focused Model provides teachers with an awareness of a variety of tools and encourage teachers to make connections between the appropriate use of the tools and the task/learning outcome desired in their students. Because no strategy is effective in all situations, teachers continue to maintain primary control over the activities and strategies introduced into each classroom lesson.

The Learning-Focused Model does encourage schools to provide training to all teachers so that the planning framework accessed by the staff of a building is complete and reflective of current education research on effectiveness. It is absolutely vital that, given the limited amount of time teachers have contact with their students, that the most effective strategies be used on a consistent and pervasive basis. Learning-Focused strategies have the most impact when an entire school is utilizing common strategies. This commonality improves the effectiveness of each strategy employed. Teachers can work together to improve their effective use of the strategy while students employ the strategy to master the learning outlined by standards. Learning must remain fun to be effective. Therefore, a variety of strategies must be employed throughout the year. No one strategy is effective in all situations. The strategy to be employed must match the task required of the individual student, be focused on the lesson learning objective and provide a fresh and invigorating classroom challenge for the student. It is the professional responsibility of the teacher to carefully consider the options and make the best decisions.

Learning must be an enjoyable experience for students. This requires teachers to constantly consider what learning strategies to employ in order to make their classroom inviting, invigorating and innovative, yet retain academic rigor. The Learning-Focused Model provides teachers with a variety of options to consider when planning their lessons. Both the acquisition and extending thinking lesson plans ask teachers to carefully consider a number of issues when planning a lesson. It is the answers to these questions that determine the lesson design and ultimately the learning tools used to promote understanding. Learning-Focused encourages teachers to be creative when making planning decisions, but try to select what will be used from those strategies known to make the biggest impact on learning.

Currently we know more about the learning process than ever before. Significant research, that tells us what works, has been completed, documented and released. We must utilize this knowledge to design better lessons that will challenge our students and provide them the opportunity to master the learning standards of each respective state.