Being comfortable with being uncomfortable is a crucial mindset for both educators and students. It requires embracing uncertainty, challenges, and unfamiliar experiences with the understanding that growth often occurs in these moments. For educators, this can mean stepping outside of traditional teaching methods and experimenting with new strategies that may initially feel awkward or challenging. Listening to students and taking their lead reflects a shift toward a more student-centered approach to learning. It means recognizing the value of student voices and allowing them to guide their own learning paths.
Collaboration plays a vital role in fostering a sense of comfort with discomfort and promoting student-led learning. In a collaborative environment, educators and students are encouraged to share ideas, experiment with new approaches, and support each other through challenges. Collaboration also allows for different perspectives, which can help educators better listen to and understand students' needs. Through collaboration, both educators and students can build a culture of mutual respect, where discomfort is viewed as a natural part of growth.
Mistakes and failure are essential components of the learning process, both for students and educators. Instead of being seen as negative outcomes, they should be embraced as valuable learning opportunities. When educators model a growth mindset by viewing failure as a step toward success, students learn that it's okay to take risks and make mistakes.
Reference:
Innovation That Sticks Case Study - OCSB: Risk Taking. (2015, June 17). YouTube. https://youtu.be/UAMcjUzdVnE
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