Learning through Living, Cumberland News 26/8/16
This is a monthly column in the Learning Supplement of the Cumberland News
It is an honour to have the opportunity to write for CN Learning. What qualifies me to take up space in this edition devoted to exam results? I believe everyone has the potential to be the best version of themselves. I have spent the last 15 years working with individuals and organisations with the objective of improving the performance of both. It is an oft stated truism that companies and groups are greater than the sum of their parts. This is only possible if each individual within the group is the best they can be.
We face exams and tests throughout life. All are a decision point, offer the chance for us to take stock and consider our options. Learning and reflecting on what we have learnt is a lifelong opportunity. We can take the learning out of personal, social and political events, should we choose to do so. This gives us knowledge and self awareness. Choosing to use this wisely to do things more, less or differently is the measure of real learning.
On the day after the Brexit referendum I was on my way to participate in mock interviews at a Wigton school. As the post mortem unfolded on the radio, it felt as if the nation had received exam results and been found wanting. I started to wonder what lessons the year 10’s could take from the events.
Did they realise they were living through one of the defining moments of 21C European history? In 10 years Brexit will be taught in history lessons. How will the historians write it? End of the beginning of 21C politics? Beginning of the end for Europe? Beginning of British renaissance? Start of the decline of the UK?
What would the impact be on the futures of these students? And what lessons could we draw to help them prepare for the future?
On reflection, the Nation’s Exam Summer 2016 was a success in the exercise of democracy. A 72% turn out was unprecedented. As a nation we should be proud of the turn out, hard-won democracy has been truly exercised, regardless of one’s view of the outcome.
We are fortunate to live in a democracy and are privileged to do so. Many young people across the world have no voice or opportunities for learning or democracy.
Learning point: Value what we have as a society and use it. Value the things we can do rather than those we can’t.
The exam was not such a success with regard to the availability of objective data on which to base decisions. All sides were trying to persuade rather than inform. The role of all teachers is primarily to teach people how to think and make informed choices, rather than what to think.
Learning point: Demand more from our politicians by way of facts rather than rhetoric.
As with all exams, even if you do not get the results you’d hoped for, taking the learning from the experience can turn it into a success.