We believe that your learning experience in this course will be most powerful if you can take it with others in your school or community in a learning circle. We’ve created the Envisioning the Graduate of the Future Facilitator's Guide to give you the tools you need to lead a learning circle.
What is a learning circle?
A learning circle is a facilitated, in-person study group for learners who are all registered in Envisioning the Graduate of the Future.
Why form a learning circle?
This course asks you to reflect on large, important questions about the purpose of high school and expectations for graduates. This reflection is best done with others who know and understand your context and can provide varied and valuable perspectives. Your learning circle can provide you encouragement, support, diverse perspectives, and more.
How will my peers benefit from joining a learning circle?
No one knows your school or context better than the people who work there, and asking your colleagues to join you in taking this course is one step toward sparking further exploration and reflection on the purpose of high school. We encourage you to be bold and reach out (feel free to use the email/social media templates in the Facilitator's Guide). You might be surprised who responds!
What materials can help us create powerful learning circles?
The Facilitator's Guide has suggested discussion topics and activities for meetings, but we encourage your learning circle to interact with the course in the ways that seem most valuable and productive for your needs. The way in which your learning circle engages with the course is entirely up to you.
The Facilitator’s Guide has ideas and strategies for working collaboratively, including:
- Text for keeping participants organized
- Suggested schedules for meetings throughout the course and suggested agenda for those meetings
- Questions to prompt discussions about course content
- Strategies for making assignments and activities more collaborative
Wondering who to invite to participate in a learning circle?
Due to the collaborative nature of creating a graduate profile, we recommend thinking of many perspectives to engage in your school or community, such as:
- Teachers and administrators
- Other professionals in your school or organization, like the school secretary, nurse, or counselors
- Student leaders, like members of the student government or a principal's advisory council
- Families of students, like members of the Parent Teacher's Association
- Members of your local school board
ACCESS THE FACILITATOR'S GUIDE HERE.
*The Envisioning the Graduate of the Future Facilitator's Guide is based on P2PU's Learning Circles Facilitator Handbook.