Deeper learning as a teaching approach existed for many years in U.S. higher education before more recently filtering down to elementary and high school levels. According to the Learning Policy Institute, “Research shows that schools focused on deeper learning demonstrate stronger student achievement.” This inquiry-based, hands-on learning utilizes small groups and teaches students collaboration skills.
For educators who want to create a classroom environment that truly helps prepare students for success by teaching them meaningful and experiential ways to learn, a degree in deeper learning can help. For example, the online Master of Arts in Education (MAEd) in Curriculum & Instruction (C&I) with a concentration in Deeper Learning program from Avila University fosters students’ critical-thinking and problem-solving skills.
Graduates learn to support classroom learners, moving them beyond surface-level understanding and rote memorization. The program prepares educators to step into educational roles, such as grade level chair, e-learning specialist, digital learning specialist and instructional design specialist.
What Is Deeper Learning?
Deeper learning strives to teach students how to think and resolve problems. Helping students understand the “why” behind what they are learning and how it relates to real-world examples and their own experiences is a way to make learning stick. Students in a classroom can investigate questions to arrive at answers together while learning social-emotional competencies that enhance collaboration.
Education professionals can also use new technologies for research and to help students connect to experts and peers across the country worldwide. Limiting the amount of teacher lecture time and investing in collaborative research and discussion helps students “discover” answers, resulting in a deeper understanding of complex topics.
By encouraging discussion, interpretation and open-ended questions, a teacher helps students arrive at answers and solutions themselves. This type of learning activity promotes critical thinking and creativity, enhances communication skills, and helps students have more empathy and understanding for their peers.
How Does Team-Building Enhance Deeper Learning?
Small groups or teams in the classroom can facilitate strong social connections and encourage mindfulness in students. Working independently, students have only their own resources and personal experiences to use as a lens to examine issues. Working as a team, students multiply their resources and learn to be open to their classmates’ experiences, thoughts and cultures.
Small groups can help students who are reluctant to speak up in a larger classroom feel more confident about sharing. Enhanced student engagement leads to deeper learning. Designing activities, projects and research that students can work on as a team, both in class and out, makes the experience of learning more fun and has a lasting impact.
Teamwork Vs. Team Collaboration
Team members who collaborate rather than compete help students work with others towards a common goal. Team Catapult says that although teamwork and team collaboration are closely related, there is a subtle difference. Team Catapult defines teamwork as individuals with similar skill sets working together and coordinating their efforts. Brainstorming and problem-solving are common activities for teams.
Team collaboration involves individuals with distinct skills and expertise working together to complete a specific task or achieve a particular outcome. Each team member provides a unique skill that gets the common goal accomplished.
Creating Collaborative Learning Environments
Cultivating a community environment in their classrooms where students are active participants rather than passive learners teaches students life skills that equip them for success beyond school. In addition to making lessons more engaging, collaborative learning emphasizes the student rather than the teacher. Students become actively involved in research, discussion, critical thinking, and presenting and defending their ideas.
Teacher involvement is key to clearly defining expectations, creating groups with mixed abilities, and monitoring and supporting the activity. Guidance, discussion and clarification — before and during the activity — help assess and evaluate group results to ensure students achieve intended goals.
Becoming a Deeper Learning Facilitator
Educators who want to enhance their teaching skills and positively impact their students’ academic success can discover the knowledge and strategies they need in Avila University’s online MAEd C&I – Deeper Learning program. This program provides the specialized insights and technological tools to tailor instruction to diverse groups of students with various learning styles, abilities and backgrounds.
Courses like Creating a Cohesive Classroom Environment, Advanced Curriculum & Instruction, and An Introduction to Deep Learning & Deeper Learning cover topics such as the impact of technology on the classroom, instructional strategies for deeper learning, advanced curriculum and instruction, and more. This program prepares students for a variety of career opportunities that rely on strong team-building and collaboration skills.
Learn more about Avila University’s online Master of Arts in Education in Curriculum & Instruction with a concentration in Deeper Learning program.
