I want to take a different angle to today's Thoughtful Thursday. Let's look at one way to think about learning - Proactive vs Reactive vs Inactive. In the moment, proactive learners function much like the growth mindset, but I want to frame this with an eye for study skills and time management.
It is critical to mention that everyone exhibits all three levels of activity in their learning! It's just a matter of which one is more prominent in decisive situations. It's also a matter of growing as much as possible... moving inactive and reactive tendencies towards proactivity.
Inactive Learner
The Inactive learner is just that, inactive. Failed a test? meh. Missed class? meh. Didn't study? meh. Don't have any idea what lecture was about? meh.
This is much more of an issue at the high school level from my experience. That being said, it can crop up in the college level too. If you notice someone going from proactive or reactive to inactive, this might be a sign the student is in distress. For more info on a student in distress, check out this previous blog post.
Reactive Learner
Ah, we have all been there, haven't we? Yes, procrastinating is a part of being reactive, but it isn't the whole thing. Let's take a look at a few characteristics...
- Accepts things as they are
- Waits to be 'taught'
- Waits until a bad grade to work hard in a class
- Exam studying is done in chunks right before the exam
- Weeks go by without studying a course because "other courses are keeping me busy"
- Fixed mindset
So, what can we do to help a reactive learner?
- Point out reactive behavior in a kind way.
- Point out how a reactive behavior may be causing the student undue stress.
- Encourage students of the benefits of proactive learning.
Proactive Learning
Soooooo Bob. What are the characteristics of a proactive learner?
Well, you, here they are!
- Employs growth mindset
- Asks questions early
- Studies every course every day even if an exam is not looming
- Cramming is not necessary
- Misunderstandings are uncovered early and in smaller chunks, making them more manageable to overcome
- Student does extra problems outside of the homework
- Student seeks out academic mentors / learning support within the first two weeks of the semester.
- Student consistently attends academic mentoring even if the student needs to study for another course.
So, I ask you this: how can you help your students move from being reactive to proactive? How can we address students' reactivity or inactivity in a respectful way?
Oh, and one way YOU can EASILY help your students become more proactive is by encouraging them to attend the Time & Money Management Workshop on Wednesday, October 28th from noon-1pm at B47 Bascom Hall hosted by yours truly. Your student will be better off for attending and all you have to do is spend 30 seconds encouraging your student! What a great deal!!!!
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One way I try to help my students move from inactivity to reactivity to proactivity is by encouraging them to think about and analyze their study and learning habits in the course. As an example I will ask them what resources they use to complete their homework, or what they do to consolidate information from lecture. I found reading the description of a proactive learner as a great reminder of ways to improve my learning! I will also definitely remember to bring up in my next session the idea of a growth mindset and how important it is to spread out learning over time! (By the way- loving all the fun GIFs!)
ReplyDelete-Whitney Thomas
I think a great way to help move from being an inactive learner to a proactive one is to create schedules. It really helps me to set up times for when I am going to study each subject. By doing this, I never miss going over a subject and it helps keep my mind fresh by switching topics. I have also found that I am a reactive or proactive learner depending on the class. Helping students examine their behaviors towards all of their classes might help them move to being a proactive learner in all courses.
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