If making meaningful connections is central to learning then why do we spend so much of our time encouraging our learners to collect the dots rather than connect the dots? Although meaningful connections are vital to student-centered, higher-order learning, currently most of our education system is built on a Behaviorism learning theory. Under this teacher centered theory, students learn by collecting dots such as facts and skills by memorization and regurgitation. Students are given positive reinforcements such as good grades and acknowledgements when they have "mastered" or memorize new skills. They may also get negative reinforcements such as failing grades, phone calls home, etc, when they have not mastered those skills. This is currently the main approach in schools today because of the heavy emphasize on standardized testing. I know I have felt the pressure to "get them to pass." When this occurs we go into STAAR countdown mode, like we are currently in on our campus, and we usually drill skills. Sadly, we are merely collecting dots.
Even though the pressure is on and I know what I must accomplish in 3 short weeks, I still teach with my learner's best interest in mind. I continue to make small changes in order to engage the students in the learning, to have them collaborate and have discussions with their peers, to challenge each other's thinking, and much more. By doing this, I am trying to give students the opportunity to connect the dots not only collect them. Next year, along with my colleagues Veronica Balli and Ileana Reyna, we hope to implement our Innovation Plan, Blended Learning: Personalizing the Future of Education, in hopes to connect more dots and prepare our students for the real world. Harapnuik, D. [Learners Mindset]. (2021, January 18). Collecting dots vs connecting dots [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7o3Jh1KZLw&ab_channel=LearnersMindset
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