We become physically stronger as we exercise muscles and stretch beyond where we are currently physically located; it is similar with cognitive and academic 'stretch'. This can be initially uncomfortable, but it is worthwhile to experience initial discomfort for the longer term benefit of achieving what a student wants.
Many teachers at primary schools focus on the needs of lower ability students or students who have not yet attained certain skills and do not understand that high ability students also require cognitive and academic stretch if they are to maintain the capacity to achieve, later. Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, Lev Vygotsky David Ausubel and Geoff Masters understood the importance of stretching all students – including any who have high cognitive ability. The first two academics are known for their models ('Flow' and the 'Zone of Proximal Development') which emphasize the optimal sphere for learning involves 'stretch'. The latter two academics emphasize knowing the most appropriate place to start learning.
David Ausubel is best known for his Theory of Meaningful Verbal Learning (where he maintains that educators must ascertain what learners already know and then teach them accordingly. Geoff Masters, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER – that develops NAPLAN) maintains that an analysis of NAPLAN data reveals that there is a 5 – 6 year spread in every year level and that students would benefit from having access to an approach to learning that mimics the Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB) where there is an opportunity for students to enter learning at any point to learn what comes next and which allows the student to 'stretch' beyond what they currently know.
All students who attend school are required to learn what is contained within the curriculum – whether this is determined by the Australian Curriculum or the International Baccalaureate. By identifying what students already know, it is much easier to determine what comes next and to ensure there is an appropriate level of stretch for each student. Ideally, students should be stretched not broken by what they learn.
The recently televised Australian Swimming Championships shows athletes stretching and limbering up prior to challenging for a place in the Australian Swim Team that will compete at the next Olympics. It is essential that students have an opportunity to stretch cognitively before undertaking academic challenges. Flow and ZPD should not be confined to the water but take place in classrooms, too.
© Michele Juratowitch
michele@clearingskies..com.au