What we do?
In the first weeks of schooling, each student will be assigned, from a carefully chosen set, a topic to learn in depth. The topics might include "birds," "apples," "the circus," "railways," "the solar system," etc. Students will then study their assigned topics throughout their elementary and secondary education, along with the usual curriculum.Learning In Depth usually takes one hour of class time per week, and we find that many students also work on their LiD portfolio at home as well.
They will meet regularly with their supervising teachers, who will give guidance, suggestions, and help as students build personal portfolios on their topics. The aim of Learning in Depth is for each student, by the end of her or his schooling, to develop genuine expertise about their topic.
LiD is a small addition to the curriculum, but it typically has a powerful impact. It does not need to replace anything that is currently done in regular schooling. The program works with children across all ability ranges. (We also find that many teachers become bemused by the fun their students have with LiD and take on a topic for themselves. ) LiD is ungraded, and yet students commonly show more enthusiasm about LiD than about anything else in the curriculum, even though we also find it enriches their engagement with the rest of the curriculum.
Why we do it?
The project proposes, and draws on what research is available to suggest, that this process of Learning in Depth has the potential to transform the schooling experience of nearly all children by transforming their relationship to, and understanding of the nature of, knowledge. It furtherencourages each student to become engaged in self-directed inquiry over a long period of time, making them self-confident learners.
