The Landscape Model of Learning w/ Dr. Kapono Ciotti
Dec 7, 2024
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Dr. Kapono Ciotti, Executive Director of What School Could Be, shares his extensive experience in educational reform. He discusses empowering students through protagonism, showcasing how technology can enhance learning. Authentic assessments, like projects tackling real-world issues, highlight student impact. The conversation shifts to creating purposeful classrooms and rethinking educational landscapes, advocating for a dynamic approach that values emotional well-being and inclusivity. Ciotti also introduces the peak distinction process for improved educational practices.
Student protagonism empowers learners to take charge of their education, fostering engagement and ownership in their learning journey.
The Landscape Model of Learning emphasizes tailored teaching strategies that accommodate diverse student strengths, promoting an inclusive educational environment.
Deep dives
The Role of Student Protagonism in Education
Student protagonism emphasizes the importance of allowing learners to take center stage in their educational journeys. This approach encourages students to become the main actors in their learning, fostering a sense of ownership and engagement in their work. Dr. Siati reflects on his own educational background in a progressive constructivist school where he and his peers were deeply involved in their learning processes, contrasting this with the current challenges faced in education that often limit student agency. By focusing on student protagonism, educators can create environments where learners are motivated to participate actively and meaningfully, rather than being passive recipients of information.
Authentic Assessment and Real-World Impact
Authentic assessments are grounded in real-world applications that allow students to make a tangible difference beyond their classrooms. An example shared involves high school students collaborating on a public service announcement during the Ebola epidemic, which directly addressed public health issues in Sierra Leone. This approach not only provided a meaningful context for students’ work but also instilled a sense of responsibility, as their efforts could literally save lives. The success of such authentic learning experiences underscores the necessity for educational practices that are relatable and impactful, rather than confined to standard classroom activities.
The Landscape Model of Learning
The Landscape Model of Learning offers a more nuanced understanding of education, contrasting sharply with traditional, linear assessments. It advocates for recognizing the diversity in students’ abilities and backgrounds, similar to navigating varied terrains rather than racing on a fixed track. By emphasizing the complexity of learning, educators can tailor their teaching strategies to accommodate individual students’ strengths and needs, cultivating a more inclusive environment. This model shifts the focus from standardized metrics to a more holistic view of student progress and growth.
Embracing Complexity in Educational Systems
The conversation highlights a critical warning against overly scripted curricula that risk deprofessionalizing teachers by simplifying their complex roles. Dr. Siati warns that such systemic pressures could undermine the human-centric approach to learning, which is essential for nurturing effective educational environments. The need for adult-student connections and a focus on fostering community relationships becomes paramount, as these elements significantly influence student engagement and learning outcomes. By promoting a progressive framework through initiatives like the PEAK distinction process, educators can create systems better aligned with the evolving requirements of today's learners.
Quick update: Between recording and release, our guest, Dr Kapono Ciotti, is no longer with What School Could Be and that their PD options have changed. So check out their website @ whatschoolcouldbe.org for details. Enjoy the episode!
Today we are joined by Dr. Kapono Ciotti. Dr. Ciotti is the Executive Director of What School Could Be, an organization offering a whole host of things: free resources, a flourishing community, coaching services, graduate coursework, and more; plus WSCB is one of Human Restoration Project’s partners. Prior to this work, Dr. Ciotti grew up in Honolulu, Hawai’i in a progressive, constructivist school and taught in the same area, then in Senegal, and then became a school leader in the United States and internationally. He’s worked in over one hundred schools across four continents, including as national faculty for the National Association of Independent Schools in diversity, equity, and justice.