Discovering the ‘Why’: Adding Purpose to Education
Learning is a lifelong process. Our education system is so important in supporting our ongoing learning journey. We’ve all seen how children are curious, ask questions and are eager to explore and understand the world. How can we keep this natural motivation alive as Learners grow from early grades to high school and beyond?
In the world of education, it’s not just about learning facts and skills. It’s about going on a lifelong learning adventure, where knowing the ‘why’ or the purpose can change the way we learn. Instead of just thinking about grades, we start asking, “Why do I want to know more?”. When Learners understand the reasons behind what they’re learning, education becomes more than just a way to get to the finish line. It becomes an exciting journey that gives us meaning and makes us curious. This kind of learning sticks with us, and we can use it in lots of different situations. It’s all about finding the ‘why’!
Education isn’t just about getting a certificate or degree. Its real goal is to keep our desire to learn alive and strong. Our school system sometimes can make learning seem more like following rules than exploring our interests. This can make us feel less in control (because we don’t have independence or autonomy) and less motivated to learn.
Imagine this: you walk into a regular maths class where Learners are tackling algebraic expressions. At first, these formulas and equations might feel strange, like a secret code that only maths geniuses understand. But what if Learners could see how these equations relate to their everyday lives? For example, imagine learning that algebra helps make awesome video games or predict sports results. Suddenly, algebra isn’t just a boring idea but a useful tool that has a real purpose and can be used in the real world.
Understanding the ‘why’ behind algebra isn’t just about making it more fun; it actually unlocks a whole new world of opportunities. When Learners grasp this, it changes how they see things and helps them see the importance and usefulness of what they’re learning. This deeper understanding leads to better learning results and boosts their motivation to learn more. It’s like discovering a secret path to success in education!
Turning Classrooms into Real-World Laboratories
In purposeful education, we love diving into project-based learning (speaking of which, you can also dive in with us and enrol for our online course!). One of the best things about project-based learning is that it lets us tackle real-life challenges. Instead of just reading from textbooks, we turn our classrooms into vibrant laboratories. We work together with classmates, solve practical problems, and show off our accomplishments to a bigger audience.
Picture a team of Learners working on a project to conserve water in their school or community during a drought. In this scenario, learning goes beyond reading from textbooks. Instead of just memorising facts about water, Learners use their knowledge to make a real difference. That’s what purposeful education is all about; engaging in practical, meaningful learning experiences that reflect the real world.
How to create a purpose-driven classroom
Bringing purpose into your classroom doesn’t have to be a major overhaul. It’s about making small changes and using innovative strategies to make learning more engaging and meaningful. Here are some recommendations for building a purposeful classroom:
Connect to the Real World: Make lessons relevant by showing how they apply to everyday life. For example, a maths lesson on percentages could explore how they relate to discounts, taxes, or interest rates when buying a car.
Make it Authentic: Design activities that engage Learners to solve real-world problems that matter to them. This helps them see the practical impact of their learning on their community and the world.
Encourage Independence: Give Learners a voice in their learning journey. Let them choose topics or methods to demonstrate their understanding.
Promote Reflection: Encourage Learners to think about what they’ve learned, why it’s important, and how they can use it beyond the classroom.
Connect to Careers: Help Learners see how classroom learning connects to different careers. Invite professionals to share their experiences and show how they use academic subjects in their jobs. You can also ask Learners to think like scientists or other professionals to understand why the knowledge they’re gaining is valuable.
Highlight the Big Picture: Remind Learners that education is about more than just grades and qualifications. It’s about becoming well-informed, responsible individuals who can make positive contributions to society.
Purpose in education is all about turning learning from something we do for grades into a thrilling adventure that connects to the real world. It’s about sparking our curiosity, promoting understanding, and creating lifelong Learners who are always hungry to learn more! The best education systems keep us motivated by letting us take charge of our own learning, improving our skills, and making sure everything we learn has a purpose. By doing this, they make our lifelong learning journey exciting and meaningful instead of just a bunch of tasks to finish.
