Building a common language for learning

The LQF is intentionally designed so that schools do not have to use Building Learning Power as their model for learning. The Framework states that:

The learning school distils its understanding of the learning sciences into a coherent framework for learning, drawing together various principles from the LQF (language for learning, teaching culture, learning culture, learner engagement, parents and communities and assessment for learning) thus defining a comprehensive understanding of learning which drives policy and practice in the school and its community, and is evident in the school’s curriculum intent.

The key words are ‘a coherent framework for learning, drawing together various principles from the LQF’ and ‘a comprehensive understanding of learning’. It would be possible to achieve this having started with Art Costa’s Habits of Mind, or the Personal Learning and Thinking Skills, or any hybrid that attends to learners’ emotional, social, cognitive and metacognitive skills.

If, as a school, you are not using Building Learning Power as the basis of your understanding of learning, you will need to design your own ways of introducing this. But – if you are using Building Learning Power – read on!

Introducing Learning Power to teachers

This section contains everything you might need to introduce the idea of Learning Power to teachers.

It underpins Principles 1,2 and 3, which in turn ripple out through the other Principles of the Learning Quality Framework.

Here is a powerpoint and the associated resources that we would use to introduce teachers to the key ideas behind Learning Power.

This slide deck could be used:

• just as it is to introduce the ideas to staff; 
• to help structure a learning conversation amongst/in teams;
• added to your own strategic presentation to ensure staff gain a holistic picture.

Brief explanatory notes can be found under each slide. Fuller supporting information and resources are offered as downloads in ‘Additional Resources’.

What’s in the presentation?

This 28 slide presentation aims to help teachers explore the Supple Learning Mind, the first of 2 models central to Building Learning Power. The 4 domains of learning, underpinned by 17 learning capacities are explained, and teachers are invited to reflect on how effectively their learners employ these behaviours. It is designed as a presentation that can form part of a whole-school training day.

In total it might take around 120 / 150 minutes to work through with your staff – and we do urge you to include classroom support staff in this.

It could be used on a training day, or on a twilight(s), or in any way that works for your school.

Things to download