What is student directed learning and how do we know if a student is engaged? What do “engaged” students look like? What do they sound like?

Teachers at PNA really try to push students to direct their own learning.  Research shows that as students take part in activities and engage in their processes and outcomes, they are more likely to “own” the work and become more responsive and inquisitive toward it.
Students directing their own work may be working individually or in small groups.  They will be…

• Reading critically (with pen in hand),
• Writing to learn, creating, planning, problem solving, discussing, debating, and asking questions,
• ​Performing/presenting, inquiring, exploring, explaining, evaluating, and experimenting,
• Interacting with other students, gesturing, and moving.

Student-directed learning means students’ brains are active. They have to be participants in the process, and not merely products.  They should be moving, talking, participating, and owning their role as a student.
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This means that classrooms may sound noisy.  There are many different kinds of noise, but the student directed noise is purposeful and focused.  Noisy classrooms in which students are engaged in their own work recognize that listening is also part of learning. Respectful debate, dialogue, and discussion help students become persuasive speakers, critical listeners, analytical thinkers, and engaged citizens.  ​

The Sound of Sixth Grade Science

The Sound of 7/8 Writing Discussion

Of course, classrooms shouldn’t be noisy all the time.  Reading and writing require quiet periods for students to maintain focus in their work as well.
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PNA students direct their own learning much of the time, meaning that by the time they get to highschool, they will be confident, articulate, and ready.