Why should I trial S.O.L.E.?
Firstly we need to emphasize that S.O.L.E. is not as some people may think a process without underlying structure, it is not a case of allowing students to do what they like, when they like. S.O.L.E. has definite structures and protocols within the self organizing components of a session.
There are times throughout the process where students are left to engage in various aspects of the learning process with little teacher involvement. There are other times where the teacher provides support and direction in the learning.
One of the benefits of implementing S.O.L.E. is that in many ways it is a social activity where the students interact a lot more than in a typical lesson. They are free to move around and talk when they like - they are empowered to make choices.
Many schools introduce the teaching of social and emotional skills in their curriculum - skills such as recognizing and managing emotions, getting along with others, co-operation and collaboration, self-awareness, respecting the opinion of others, taking turns etc. Our observations are that within a S.O.L.E. session these behaviours are readily observed and are reinforced by the process, the students and the teacher.
One of the components of a S.O.L.E. session that we use is simple teacher feedback to individuals or small groups. This feedback can focus on the learning attitudes and behaviours as well as the social aspects of learning with others. It also covers the curriculum component and the filtering and examination of information.
It is widely acknowledged the concept of reflective practice is important for a teacher's learning and their ongoing awareness of their performance. When implementing S.O.L.E. teachers need to reflect on the learning outcomes achieved by students and their own choices and behaviours. The need to actively reflect after the session ensures that any gaps in the learning can be covered through another S.O.L.E. session or through a more explicit teaching method. We believe that teachers should utilize a range of strategies to deliver their lessons.
Questions you could ask yourself that may prompt you to trial a different strategy may include:
Are you happy with the engagement of your students?
Do your students do much of the learning or are they dependent on you?
Are you looking for a different strategy that will nurture better communication, collaboration and team work?
Do you think you provide your students with the freedom to make more choices? and
Do you seem to spend too much of your time policing your class and less time supporting learning?
One of the biggest benefits of S.O.L.E. in our opinion is that it is very time efficient - lots done in a small amount of time when compared to more traditional methods.
There are times throughout the process where students are left to engage in various aspects of the learning process with little teacher involvement. There are other times where the teacher provides support and direction in the learning.
One of the benefits of implementing S.O.L.E. is that in many ways it is a social activity where the students interact a lot more than in a typical lesson. They are free to move around and talk when they like - they are empowered to make choices.
Many schools introduce the teaching of social and emotional skills in their curriculum - skills such as recognizing and managing emotions, getting along with others, co-operation and collaboration, self-awareness, respecting the opinion of others, taking turns etc. Our observations are that within a S.O.L.E. session these behaviours are readily observed and are reinforced by the process, the students and the teacher.
One of the components of a S.O.L.E. session that we use is simple teacher feedback to individuals or small groups. This feedback can focus on the learning attitudes and behaviours as well as the social aspects of learning with others. It also covers the curriculum component and the filtering and examination of information.
It is widely acknowledged the concept of reflective practice is important for a teacher's learning and their ongoing awareness of their performance. When implementing S.O.L.E. teachers need to reflect on the learning outcomes achieved by students and their own choices and behaviours. The need to actively reflect after the session ensures that any gaps in the learning can be covered through another S.O.L.E. session or through a more explicit teaching method. We believe that teachers should utilize a range of strategies to deliver their lessons.
Questions you could ask yourself that may prompt you to trial a different strategy may include:
Are you happy with the engagement of your students?
Do your students do much of the learning or are they dependent on you?
Are you looking for a different strategy that will nurture better communication, collaboration and team work?
Do you think you provide your students with the freedom to make more choices? and
Do you seem to spend too much of your time policing your class and less time supporting learning?
One of the biggest benefits of S.O.L.E. in our opinion is that it is very time efficient - lots done in a small amount of time when compared to more traditional methods.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR...
SOME SATISFIED CUSTOMERS
Paul & Brett,
"We learnt that…..
The internet really helps us learn.
We also learnt that S.O.L.E. Learning is better than being chained up like a monkey and being told what to do and that independence is a better source of learning because we didn’t feel pressured".
By Nour, Jordan and Luigian
"The thing we liked is working with my friends and we got a lot done and the pink circle of smartness was funny and made sense to us".
By James, Brandon and Dervis
To Paul & Brett
"I thought that S.O.L.E. learning was fun, enjoyable and smart. The way you taught us was very clear and when you came we knew we were going to have fun. I also liked how we got to explore the classroom and look at each others work and we were never alone. I thought the work would be hard but I think its cool because of all the different options you can choose so I also think it’s very easy. The way you taught us was the best way by letting us make decisions and let us do anything, so thank you and I hope you come back to our primary school".
Dear Paul & Brett,
"We all enjoyed yesterdays lesson because it was educational and fun. We used a lot of teamwork and found out some great facts. We also liked the fact that we were allowed to move around the room to see other people's ideas and get smarter. We also liked at the end how we played that game where in our groups we had to remember our facts. Thanks for spending your time with our class and we hope we see you again".
By Alex, Giulia, Sherine, Bianca, Abbey and Malaak
Dear Paul & Brett,
"We would like to thankyou for coming to our primary school and teaching us new strategies for learning. I hope you enjoyed it as well, our whole class enjoyed it very much. We liked how it was easy going and fun. We would like to see you again".
From Hayley, Peter, Andre, Kenny and Sarah
"I like S.O.L.E because it was fun and I learnt something new today, example: You are never alone. S.O.L.E was fun because you get to share your ideas to your group and that every person in your group has a part and no one is left out".
"I like S.O.L.E because you could see other people's work and and get ideas".
"The first time I was in S.O.L.E there was a lot of talking, but S.O.L.E is like that.
I like S.O.L.E because we got to walk around".
"We learnt that…..
The internet really helps us learn.
We also learnt that S.O.L.E. Learning is better than being chained up like a monkey and being told what to do and that independence is a better source of learning because we didn’t feel pressured".
By Nour, Jordan and Luigian
"The thing we liked is working with my friends and we got a lot done and the pink circle of smartness was funny and made sense to us".
By James, Brandon and Dervis
To Paul & Brett
"I thought that S.O.L.E. learning was fun, enjoyable and smart. The way you taught us was very clear and when you came we knew we were going to have fun. I also liked how we got to explore the classroom and look at each others work and we were never alone. I thought the work would be hard but I think its cool because of all the different options you can choose so I also think it’s very easy. The way you taught us was the best way by letting us make decisions and let us do anything, so thank you and I hope you come back to our primary school".
Dear Paul & Brett,
"We all enjoyed yesterdays lesson because it was educational and fun. We used a lot of teamwork and found out some great facts. We also liked the fact that we were allowed to move around the room to see other people's ideas and get smarter. We also liked at the end how we played that game where in our groups we had to remember our facts. Thanks for spending your time with our class and we hope we see you again".
By Alex, Giulia, Sherine, Bianca, Abbey and Malaak
Dear Paul & Brett,
"We would like to thankyou for coming to our primary school and teaching us new strategies for learning. I hope you enjoyed it as well, our whole class enjoyed it very much. We liked how it was easy going and fun. We would like to see you again".
From Hayley, Peter, Andre, Kenny and Sarah
"I like S.O.L.E because it was fun and I learnt something new today, example: You are never alone. S.O.L.E was fun because you get to share your ideas to your group and that every person in your group has a part and no one is left out".
"I like S.O.L.E because you could see other people's work and and get ideas".
"The first time I was in S.O.L.E there was a lot of talking, but S.O.L.E is like that.
I like S.O.L.E because we got to walk around".
