Embracing the Challenge of Learning: Finding Joy in the Journey

Have you ever noticed that when you're happy, it's hard to focus on learning? It's not just your imagination. In actual fact, happiness can actually impede learning. When we're happy we feel content, and when we feel content we tend to stick with what we know and avoid challenging ourselves. On the other hand is joy - now this is a different story. Joy is a driving emotion that promotes adventure and inquiry, two essential ingredients for deep learning.

When we're happy, we're less likely to take risks or try new things. We're comfortable where we are and don't feel the need to push ourselves. This can be a problem when it comes to learning because growth requires stepping outside of our comfort zones. We need to be willing to make mistakes, try new approaches, and take on challenges if we want to learn and grow. However, when we're joyful, we're excited about the possibilities that lie ahead. We're eager to try new things and see where they take us. This sense of adventure and inquiry is essential for learning because it keeps us engaged and motivated.

Think about it this way: when you're happy, you might be content to sit back and enjoy the moment. But when you're joyful, you're more likely to want to explore and discover new things. This is why joy is such an important ingredient for learning. It keeps us curious, engaged, and excited about the process.

So how can we cultivate more joy in our lives? One way is to focus on the process of learning rather than the outcome.

Instead of worrying about getting everything right or achieving a certain grade, focus on the joy of discovery. Celebrate your mistakes and see them as opportunities to learn and grow.

Another way to cultivate joy is to embrace challenges and take risks. We need to encourage our students to try something new, not to be afraid, and to step up and take on the challenge of a difficult task. When our students step outside of their comfort zones, they inadvertently open themselves up to new possibilities and experiences.

As educators, of course we all want our students to be happy - this goes without saying. We want them to enjoy coming to school, to feel engaged and motivated in their learning, and to leave our classrooms feeling positive and fulfilled. But is trying to keep our students happy during the learning process the best approach? No. There are dangers to focusing too much on happiness.

Quite simply, happiness doesn't promote learning.

While happy students may be more likely to participate in class and enjoy their time at school, this doesn't necessarily translate to academic improvement above and beyond international attainment standards. In fact, I suggest that students who are too focused on being happy may be less likely to challenge themselves or take risks in their learning. As educators, we need to strike a balance between creating a positive atmosphere and pushing our students to grow and develop. Sadly, putting happiness at the forefront of everything we do as teachers can also lead to a school culture of entitlement. Students may come to expect that their needs and desires will always be catered to, which can lead to a lack of resilience and an unwillingness to work hard or persevere through challenges. It's important to help our students understand that sometimes things won't go their way, and that's okay. But it does not mean that they cannot enjoy the learning process. And... quite simply, happiness is unsustainable. Trying to keep everyone happy all the time is a tall order, and it can be exhausting for educators. Burnout is a real risk when we put too much pressure on ourselves to create a perfect learning environment. Additionally, students may become disillusioned if they feel that their happiness is constantly being prioritized over other important factors like academic rigor or safety. And hey, let's face it, if a students happiness is determined by how well they are doing with regard to their grades, well as Jordan Peterson has said numerous times, "Happiness is a boat easily capsized". One bad test result and things can all come crashing down. The same cannot be said for a student that finds joy in the process of learning.

So, what can we do instead?

As educators, we need to strike a balance between creating a positive atmosphere and pushing our students to grow and develop. We should focus on student engagement. Rather than trying to make everyone happy, aim to engage your students in meaningful learning experiences - have students 'en(joy)' the process of learning. When students are invested in their learning and feel challenged and stimulated, they're more likely to feel positive about their school experience overall. Being transparent and including students in the learning process is also a surefire way on the path to enjoying learning. When our students understand why we are making certain decisions or setting certain expectations, they feel like they're part of the decision-making process, and are more likely to buy into, and meet, the overall learning objectives.

By focusing on joy and by making a conscious effort to help our students enjoy the learning process, we can create a classroom - and school - culture that supports both academic success and overall well-being.

Students that approach learning with joy at their core are not only more likely to learn, but ironically, are more likely to be happy than those who aim 'to be happy', as their happiness is now process driven and not outcome determined.

By cultivating joy in our approach to teaching and learning, our students can become more curious, engaged, and excited about the learning process. Give it a try - see what happens when you encourage your students to embrace and en(joy) the learning process – you never know where it might take them!