CHILDREN should be taught the skills to help them learn for life so that they are prepared for living in an "uncertain" world.

That's the view of Professor Guy Claxton – an education guru who developed the Building Learning Power teaching concept.

Professor Claxton visited the Isle of Man yesterday (Thursday) to speak to Island teachers as a guest of the National Association of Head Teachers and the Department of Education.

His Building Learning Power concept, which was born in 1997, aims to teach young people to become better learners both in school and out of school despite a child's level of ability.

He explained: "People for a long time thought that how good you were at learning was a matter of how bright you were or your level of ability. We now know from a lot of good research that actually how good you are as a learner is a lot of tricks and habits and attitudes that you learn along the way.

"Some kids pick up dysfunctional attitudes and think they are lousy at learning and we now know that's not necessary and doesn't have to happen. All kids, whether they are going to be high achievers or low achievers, can be helped to become more confident and capable at the business of learning itself.

"By learning I don't just mean learning in school I mean learning for life – learning to be a parent, learning a new job, learning a new sport, a new bit of computer technology – whatever it might be.

"We think, and I think those in education in the Isle of Man also think, that a big chunk of what we need to be doing in school these days is helping kids get ready for a world that's really uncertain where they are going to have to be good, powerful, real life learners if they are going to be happy and create satisfying lives for themselves.

"We're trying to shift the emphasis of what goes on in schools from transmitting knowledge and the concern with literacy and numeracy to helping kids develop this confidence and capacity to deal with tricky stuff."

The Isle of Man's school curriculum Essentials for Learning, which was launched this year, mirrors Professor Claxton's concept and encourages pupils to develop their skills in readiness, relationships, resourcefulness, resilience, remembering and reflectiveness – as well as teaching them the facts and figures which ensure academic success.

During his visit to the Island Professor Claxton visited some of the Island's schools and said he was impressed with the Island's commitment to what he called "21st century learning".

He continued: "It is really impressive the way the Department of Education and Children has put its weight behind this vision and there is clear evidence that it’s not treating it as another fad or initiative but is in it for the long haul.
 
"I've been into schools in Laxey and in Dhoon and you can see in the way the children are talking, and the look on their faces, that now if they find something difficult they don't look defeated or embarrassed."

Professor Claxton also spoke to a number of Island teaching staff and held a practical workshop session for school leaders where he was able to share practical advice gained from other schools across the UK, and the world, that were also following the concept.

He explained: "It takes time - it's not just a process of 'here's a new initiative, plop it into the school and now go and do it'. It's a sustained culture change within the school which the head teachers have to lead.

"You can't do it overnight because teachers are creatures of habit too. Often teachers have got used to being the people who 'tell' stuff so this is a new role for many teachers.

"The vast majority of teachers jump at it and they love the idea that they're in the business of helping to make kids smarter rather than just develop in particular skills."

Professor Claxton said his learning approach was suitable for all schools although he admitted that some schools can find it harder than others to implement it.

He said: "Some traditional secondary schools that are preoccupied with subject content and examination achievement sometimes find it harder to get to grips with this new way of thinking about education."

He added that research had shown that schools who adopted the principles of the theory achieved good examination grades and also a boost in confidence.

Professor Claxton said: "They benefit in terms of their confidence and the really beautiful thing about this is that the results go up as well. Students who are more confident and resourceful in their learning naturally do better in the tests – why wouldn't they? If you can be helped to feel like you're more confident when you're facing difficult stuff – who wouldn't like that?"

Tom Thomson, the head teacher of Rushen Primary School and secretary of the local branch of the National Association of Head Teachers, organised Professor Claxon's visit.

He said: "Our society needs young people who are flexible, creative, and proactive – young people who can solve problems, make decisions, think critically, communicate ideas effectively and work efficiently within teams and groups.

"The 'knowing of knowledge' is no longer enough to succeed. Young people need the opportunity to develop learning dispositions and effective thinking skills as part of their well-rounded education.

"Guy Claxton has researched and developed the practicalities of delivering such a curriculum and has been an inspiration to teachers in the Island. His ideas and practical advice have been introduced and used throughout our schools to make them centres of excellence that our children are privileged to have access to."

Picture caption: L to R - Minister for Education and Children Peter Karran MHK, Stuart Dobson, chief executive of the department, Professor Guy Claxton and Tom Thomson, headteacher of Rushen Primary School.

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