Activity Introduction
Quick summary: Students consider what learning is by working together to create a structure using limited materials and then reflect on what and how they learned throughout the process. They complete an online version of an adapted Myers-Briggs personality test and consider their results in relation to their own approach to learning. Students then apply their new understanding of their individual learning approaches to reflect how they can best tackle challenges they may face in the future.
This lesson supports La Trobe University’s Aspire Generation initiative, which empowers students to drive change through community engagement, volunteerism and leadership opportunities.
Essential questions:
- What is learning?
- Why is learning important?
- What is my approach to learning?
- What does learning have to do with work?
21st century skills:
Australian Curriculum Mapping
Content descriptions:
Year 9 Work Studies
- Describe the implications of individual learning preferences for learning at home, school, work and in the community (ACWSCL002)
- Identify the attitudes and skills required for self-directed and lifelong learning (ACWSCL003)
- Explain the importance of active and lifelong learning for personal and community development (ACWSCL004)
- Plan and implement strategies and processes to improve their learning and enhance the potential to realise their aspirations and personal wellbeing (ACWSCL005)
Year 10 Work Studies
- Assess the value of self-directed and lifelong learning in responding to changes and challenges in circumstances (ACWSCL022)
- Explain the relationship between lifelong learning and work in the 21st century and its importance for future work opportunities (ACWSCL023)
- Focus their learning strategies on personal and work-related aspirations (ACWSCL024)
General capabilities: Literacy, Critical and Creative Thinking, Personal and Social Capability.
Relevant parts of Year 9 achievement standards: Students understand the importance and components of self-directed and lifelong learning. They explain the importance of teamwork and collaboration and plan and implement strategies to improve their learning and strengthen their individual learning skills.
Relevant parts of Year 10 achievement standards: Students understand the importance of growing self-awareness in improving learning, accessing work opportunities and developing appropriate skills and making more-informed subject and career choices.
Topic: Enterprise Learning
Unit of work: Aspire Generation – Work Studies
Time required: 120 mins
Level of teacher scaffolding: Medium – facilitate class discussion.
Resources required: Student Worksheets – one copy per student (also accessible online), computers/tablets to access the online worksheet and online personality test, device capable of presenting an online video to the class. A copy of The Marshmallow Challenge – one per group. 1 packet dry spaghetti, 1 packet marshmallows, 1 roll of masking tape (split into 1 metre per group), tape-measure (or a piece of string at least 1.5 metres long) to measure student’s towers.
Digital technology opportunities: Digital sharing capabilities, web research.
Keywords: Work, learning, pathways, Aspire Generation, self-improvement, lifelong-learning.
Cool Australia’s curriculum team continually reviews and refines our resources to be in line with changes to the Australian Curriculum.
Teacher preparation