The Lifelong Learning Journey of a Teacher | Riswana Shiek Abdullah | TEDxRaks Pallikkoodam Youth

Key Concepts

• Project-Based Learning (PBL)
• Teacher Learning and Transformation
• The Five Es Framework (Environment, Enabled, Embrace, Exercise/Journal, Empower)
• Symbiotic Learning Relationship
• Neuroplasticity in Teacher Development
• The Banana Rama Principle (It's not what you do, it's the way that you do it)

The Teacher's Learning Journey Through PBL

The speaker, Razana Shik Abdullah, explores how teachers can transform their classrooms into learning environments for both students and themselves through Project-Based Learning (PBL). She argues that teaching should not be a habitual process but a continuous learning experience for educators.

The Five Es Framework for Teacher Transformation

Razana introduces a framework called the "Five Es" to guide teachers through this transformative journey:

1. Environment:
   • Focuses on creating a diverse and well-constructed learning space.
   • "Diversity is the key."
   • Involves engineering the learning environment and mapping out potential learning paths.
   • Encourages teachers to take on different roles and perspectives.
   • The space can be the classroom or outside of it.
2. Enabled:
   • The execution phase where learning is discussed, modified, and tasks are assigned to learners through a cooperative process.
   • Focuses on the responsibility of the teacher in guiding the learning process.
   • Teachers rethink and rework various avenues to explore with learners.
   • The teacher needs to think about "how and why the responsibility should be given."
3. Embrace:
   • The motivation phase where teachers become more invested in the learning process.
   • Teachers gain clarity of purpose, making timelines, rubrics, and tasks feel like logistics rather than burdens.
   • "It is a motivation to stretch."
4. Exercise/Journal:
   • The unfolding phase where the vision and learning intentions take shape, and the final product is created.
   • Teachers record their perspectives, creating a record of their own learning journey.
   • Example: Razana's experience teaching photosynthesis across grades, realizing the many different perspectives (historical, experimental, technological) from which the topic can be approached.
   • Journaling helps teachers realize that "there is still many ways to learn the same topic even if I'm teaching the same grade level over the years."
5. Empower:
   • The crystallization phase, representing the culmination of efforts for learners and a benchmark for teachers.
   • Learners analyze their work, while teachers record their perspectives, creating learning material.
   • This phase serves as a launchpad for future ventures.
   • The interdependence between teacher and learner becomes a crucial experience.

Neuroscience and Teacher Development

The speaker touches upon the connection between neuroscience and education, particularly neuroplasticity. She poses the question of how a teacher's neurological map changes as they create learning experiences, suggesting that teaching itself can lead to neurological development.

The Banana Rama Principle

Razana introduces the "Banana Rama principle" from Ross Morrison McGill's book "Mark Plan Teach," which emphasizes that "it's not what you do, it's the way that you do it." This principle encourages teachers to move beyond a tunnel vision of simply completing projects and reflections, and instead adopt a more focused and determined approach to engaging with learning. This approach makes the teacher more diverse in her work and plan.

Synthesis/Conclusion

The speaker advocates for a shift in perspective, viewing teaching as a continuous learning journey for educators. By adopting the Five Es framework and embracing the Banana Rama principle, teachers can transform their classrooms into symbiotic learning environments, fostering growth for both themselves and their students. The speaker encourages teachers to see their role as stakeholders in the learning process, constantly evolving and adapting their approaches.