Blog

The Product and Delivery System

As we move forward in Profound Learning we need to understand the process. In every activity there is the message and then how it is communicated. In everyday business life, it is the product and how it is delivered to the consumer. In education we have the curriculum and how it is taught.

At PCS the product has not changed. We still have the Ministry of Ontario curriculum documents. In the past they were documents to be accessed as needed when teachers were developing units of study. Under Profound Learning, these guidelines will be stored on a database that teachers can access but also develop student friendly translations that will assist the students to understand what they need to learn, the level of their knowledge in that area and help them determine where gaps in that understanding may exist.

The biggest change in Profound Learning is in the delivery system. This is seen in two areas, first, in the teacher methodologies and second, the classroom environment. The teachers will develop methods of direct instruction that will be more engaging and applicable to the majority of students. This will occur as the brained based elements of relevance, meaning, emotion, novelty, choice, and movement are all part of the daily learning experiences for the students. This will result in students understanding their own role and ownership in being a part of their educational journey. A higher level of student engagement means a higher level of knowledge retention and mastery. It’s about setting rigid quality and allowing the time for this to happen.

(Here are some links to a few documents (doc 1) (doc 2) (doc 3) that can give you a little insight on the Brain Based Elements. If you want some more insight you can visit the Imaginal Education website to hear more about activating the brain through meaning and the role of neuroscience)

As well, the classrooms are undergoing changes to allow students to be placed in areas that will allow them to be more comfortable in the learning and working environment. The three basic areas are called the Campfire, the Cave, and the Café. In the Campfire area the teacher is engaged in direct instruction that permits students to be introduced to new material in a more informal, yet personal manner. From here, the students are dismissed to either the Cave or the Café to do their work. In the Cave area they are in a quiet setting focused on completing the task. At the Café, they are in an environment developing skills of co-operative learning and the development of alternative learning.

Over these last few blogs, many words have been written. It’s time for show and tell. Please join us on August 31, 2017 at 7:00 pm for an Open House at PCS. There will be tours of the school so you can see the physical changes that we have made to inspire students and teachers into the 21st Century mindset. As well, we have Mrs. Doreen Grey from Master’s Academy, and the trainer of our teachers, who will give a short overview of “Ownership, Mastery and Brain Based Engagement”, PCS’ focus for this year. Mrs. Grey is one of the developers of this program and former principal of Masters Academy and College. She is currently travelling to many countries bringing Profound Learning to hundreds of teachers.

We are excited about the journey we find ourselves on. Profound Learning is more than just a program or delivery method. Every teacher here at PCS ultimately wants to see deep, engaged and profound learning for all of our students. Please continue to be in prayer for our teacher’s and the leadership of the school as we seek God’s wisdom and discretion as we navigate not only the upcoming year but the years to come as well.