Education is Everything, Right? 

Albert Einstein was born in 1879. He went on to become a mathematician and a physicist, winning the Nobel Prize in 1921. Albert Einstein has been known as the greatest physicist of the 20th century. He often about his learning being driven by passion. Albert Einstein shared that it was indeed his education that interfered with his learning. In the early 1900s, the idea and concept of passion over education to facilitate authentic learning was suddenly revealed. At this time, most educational institutions still followed what we refer to as a “traditional” teaching model where the teacher instructs and the students listen. In undeniable genius. Although ignored by many educational institutions, Albert Einstein began in the 20th century to lay the foundation of what learning should look like. 

Is there a Need to Create a Significant Learning Environment? 

As an educator, at first glance, fostering a learning environment is essential for students to grow. Pedagogy has taught educators to create an environment where students feel safe. The notion was if students felt safe in an environment, meeting this basic need, learning would surely follow. However, A New Culture of Learning expounds on the concept of a traditional learning environment and has incorporated the term “significant” (Thomas & Brown, 2011). A significant learning environment does not require a classroom, desks, books, or even a teacher. A significant learning environment must be student centered. With students at the forefront an atmosphere is created that allows them to pursue their passion, imagine and dream, all while having constraints and boundaries that foster their creativity (Thomas & Brown, 2011). When a significant learning environment is created students can succeed because the environment is conducive to meet their personal needs and learning styles. The student oversees their learning, while the teacher serves as a coach, facilitator, or mentor.  

Does a Significant Learning Environment Enhance Learning? 

An enormous portion of learning takes place outside of the classroom. In one’s authentic environment they are often provided with opportunities and activities that promote learning (Thomas & Brown, 2011). A new culture of learning contains the elements of networks providing limitless access to resources and while in environments that allow for experiments within boundaries (Thomas & Brown, 2011). Intentional creation of significant learning environments can be facilitated with play, peer to peer learning, and inquiry-based learning. It is using significant learning environments that individuals can reach their full potential, become critical thinkers, and problem solvers. Learning takes place in an authentic manner which provides for deeper understanding and exploration, which ultimately enhances the learning process. When conditions are optimal individuals can excel, and their gifts can truly be realized. Schools are full of geniuses in a significant learning environment. My innovation plan seeks to bring out the genius in all participants. 

​

Can you really learn through play? 

As a young child I loved to play. Whether I was inside playing with my dolls, in the backyard playing with the dog, or at the park playing with friends. Like most children, I think I loved play because it provided the opportunity for anything to be possible. As children progress through school however, play no longer becomes as important. There is more focus of the basic skills of reading, writing, and mathematics. Some school districts have even gone as far to minimize the amount of recess time to allow for more instructional time.  

There has been a mis notion of differentiating instructional time and play in school settings. Research has shown that play is one of the highest forms of learning. This is because play encompasses the aspects of passion, imagination, and boundaries that promote creativity (Thomas & Brown, 2011). Play allows for discovery learning to take place in an authentic environment that allows for further exploration and leads to more questions, which evokes further research. Thus, learning through play is necessary to prepare students for the future jobs. If we are to prepare students for jobs that don’t exist (Harapunik, 2015), then we must provide a new culture of learning.   

Through my innovation plan, as detailed in my innovation outline, I intend to implement play for program participants through activities and projects. In particular, one activity will be for them to answer a question posted by a peer or identify a problem and find a solution. Participants will be encouraged to answer a question or identify a problem that they are passionate about, have necessary resources and time to imagine and dream, with the boundaries of staying within legal boundaries set by the Texas Education Agency.