LEARNING FRAMEWORK

LEARNING FRAMEWORK
LEARNING DISTINCTIONS
EARLY CHILDHOOD
PRIMARY SCHOOL
MIDDLE SCHOOL
HIGH SCHOOL
FACULTY
UNIVERSITY & COUNSELLING
LIBRARIES
LEARNING TECHNOLOGY
LANGUAGE PROGRAMMES
LEARNING SUPPORT

Definition of Learning and Learning Principles

The way we realise these impacts is through a shared understanding of high quality learning. At ISS, learning is the process of growing, deepening, and transferring conceptual understanding, competency, and character in lasting, impactful ways.
 
Conceptual understanding is deep, transferable understanding, grounded in ideas that matter. It is durable and applicable in multiple contexts. Conceptual understanding is developed through progressively challenging assumptions, connecting to prior learning, constructing new understandings, and synthesising and sharing those ideas in authentic ways.

Competencies are “bundles” of skills that can be deployed together in complex and meaningful ways. At ISS, competencies–both disciplinary and transdisciplinary–are developed and applied in ways that build and demonstrate understanding. Competencies are developed incrementally through modelling, reflection and practice.

Character learning at ISS refers to both values and dispositions that warrant our pursuit in the ongoing journey of becoming good, moral beings. Character is developed in part through considering the world around us and reflecting on it, while being empowered to live as balanced, responsible, principled participants in it. 

Building on our Definition of Learning, ISS has established three Learning Principles that articulate the conditions necessary for deep learning to take root.

These principles only matter when they are put into practice. To that end, we have identified nine shared teacher practices that bring them to life. Together, they represent our collective commitment to continually learning as educators and refining the craft of teaching.

Our Definition of Learning, Learning Principles, and Shared Teacher Practices form a coherent foundation for a learning system that works in concert to realise our ultimate goal: Learning Impact.

Engaged and empowered learning leads to distinctive learning and successful learning, such as:

Early Childhood
Primary School
Middle School
High School

The fact that children look forward to going to school everyday says something about the positive learning experience at ISS. – Parent Feedback from Annual Family Survey