Learning Adventures is a new approach to teaching and curriculum development that elevates project-based learning in the context of modern resources, tools, computational technology, and pedagogy.
Learning Adventures are interdisciplinary projects that expand the breadth, depth, and complexity of classroom projects while amplifying the potential of each learner and exceeding the expectations of the curriculum. Learning adventures support the notion that the project should be a teacher’s smallest unit of concern, while engaging students, and helping teachers create more productive contexts for learning. A piece of literature, news item, scientific phenomena, painting, or local issue may be just the provocation needed to spark deep and sustained learning.
The richest learning adventures are suitable at multiple grade levels and across subject domains.
L.A. Workshop – June 30
Join us for a one-day hands-on workshop exploring the Learning Adventures approach to teaching and curriculum development. Learn how literature, computation, art, science, history, data science, robotics, making, and more collide to supercharge project-based learning in any classroom!
Future workshop locations to be announced
Learn more
Supercharging PBL
Project-based learning (PBL) appeals to many educators, even those who don’t know where to start or are unclear what exactly constitutes a project. By recasting PBL as a “Learning Adventure” we can celebrate connections, wonder, inquiry, research, and depth.
The Learning Adventures Approach
The “secret sauce” of the Learning Adventure approach to professional development is that the PD experience itself is a Learning Adventure. Teachers awaken their senses to identify provocations replete with neat phenomena that can inspire sophisticated learning-by-doing in any classroom.
The result is a pedagogical approach that includes continuous prompt setting, materials curation, making learning visible, and being sensitive to the intentions of children.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens in a Learning Adventures workshop?
Educators are invited to experience a Learning Adventure as a means to begin the process of designing Learning Adventures for their students. Depending on the workshop length, teams of educators will begin designing a Learning Adventure or two or three. Breadth, depth, and complexity depends on the workshop length.
Which educators are appropriate for Learning Adventures?
Workshop participants don’t need to teach any specific subject or have a great passion for a particular learning adventure to jump in the pool, make great discoveries, learn-by-doing, and become a better child-centered educator. The learning adventure “destinations” are ambiguous by design.
Can my district host Learning Adventures PD?
Absolutely! Dr. Stager, the originator of Learning Adventures, has more than 40 years experience leading teacher education activities, school based professional learning, and in-classroom mentoring. Reach out to schedule Learning Adventures tailored to your school or district!
Learn more about Gary Stager at professorgarystager.com
What are the roots of Learning Adventures?
The Learning Adventures model has evolved over decades of working with children and educators around the world. It is a learner-centered approach to pedagogy and curriculum design heavily influenced by collaborations with Seymour Papert, and the powerful ideas of people like David Perkins, David Hawkins, Herb Kohl, Deborah Meier, Dennis Littky, Carla Rinaldi, and our colleagues in Reggio Emilia.
Online Learning Adventures Course Coming Soon!
Sign-up and be the first to know about the online Learning Adventures Course for Educators — coming soon!
Got questions?
Feel free to reach out.