ERIC Number: EJ943623
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2011-Sep
Pages: 5
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0031-7217
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
I Learned to Believe in Me
Olson, Kirsten
Phi Delta Kappan, v93 n1 p49-53 Sep 2011
Learners who have struggled along the way can provide many lessons for everyone and for schools that are supposed to help all students learn. Based on interviews with hundreds of "great learners," the author identifies seven characteristics that describe what sets great learners apart from other learners. These are: (1) Great learners see learning as pleasurable and value and cherish this pleasure; (2) Great learners are effort theorists who have learned the hard way that effort is more important than "inborn" ability; (3) Great learners tend to have a strengths-based view of themselves and others, focusing on what they are good at instead of what they do not do so well; (4) Great learners practice letting go of negative emotions, of flipping the script on what might be regarded as a failure; (5) Great learners are unusual problem solvers who know how to ask for help; (6) Great learners do not let the institution of school define them; and (7) Great learners have passions.
Descriptors: Individual Characteristics, Interviews, Learning Strategies, Learning Theories, Change Strategies, Learner Engagement, Student Improvement, Self Concept Measures, Self Efficacy, Interest Inventories, Preferences
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Elementary Secondary Education; Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A