Learning to learn and the new technologies

In a rapidly evolving educational landscape, “Learning to learn & the new technologies” emerges as a seminal guide, for educators and leaders at all levels. This pamphlet, authored by David Hargreaves, delves into the interplay between two pivotal gateways: the art of learning to learn and the transformative potential of new technologies in education.

At its core, the publication shows how these gateways, albeit in their early stages, are revolutionising the concept of personalised learning. Traditional learning, confined to curriculum content acquisition, is giving way to a more fluid, 21st-century model where learning encompasses not just content mastery but the development of an intrinsic ability to learn and adapt. This shift from a static to a dynamic learning paradigm is essential in an era where knowledge in some domains is rapidly evolving and career landscapes are in constant flux.

Hargreaves underscores the role of meta-cognition – a critical component in this educational transformation. It’s about nurturing students’ ability to reflect upon, control, and modify their learning processes, fostering independent, self-regulated learners equipped for life’s diverse challenges.

A key emphasis is placed on the teacher’s role in shaping this learning journey. By aligning pedagogic principles with students’ needs, educators can enhance students’ learning capacities. This approach is more than mere content delivery, advocating for a collaborative, co-agency framework where learning is co-constructed by educators and learners.

This pamphlet also dispels common misconceptions about personalisation, clarifying that it’s not about increased teacher-pupil time but about fostering learner autonomy and responsibility. It envisions a future where students transition from passive recipients to active co-designers of their educational experience, leveraging new technologies to redefine learning boundaries.