Are you a school administrator or leader looking to adopt the applied learning model in your district? Applied learning is a powerful educational approach that empowers students to tackle real-world problems, fostering a deep understanding of concepts and practical skills that extend beyond the classroom. To successfully implement this pedagogical approach, it's essential to understand the key aspects of your school community that allow the applied learning model to thrive. We reached out to some exemplary teachers who have experience with applied learning, and their insights are invaluable for administrators and leaders seeking to replicate this model in their own schools.

Empowerment and Autonomy: Ale Checka, an experienced teacher in applied learning, emphasizes the importance of treating educators as adults. She underscores that clear decision-making processes are vital. She points out that educators should have a say in the decisions that directly impact their work, as opposed to participating in a tokenistic exercise where the outcome is predetermined. Empowering your teaching staff by involving them in decisions that affect their work not only motivates them but also fosters a sense of ownership within the school community.

Learning by Doing: Christee Allison suggests modeling a project with teachers as students. This immersive approach allows teachers to experience applied learning firsthand, gaining valuable insights into the process. By engaging your teaching staff in short-term and long-term projects across various content areas, you promote experiential learning that can be replicated in the classroom. Additionally, pairing experienced staff with novice teachers can help in knowledge transfer and mentorship, facilitating the implementation of applied learning.

Failure-Friendly Environment: Sarah Soule highlights the significance of providing support and space for failed experiments. Applied learning encourages students to take risks and learn from their mistakes. Similarly, teachers need the freedom to experiment and iterate on their teaching methods. Administrators should create an environment where teachers feel safe to try new approaches, learn from failures, and continuously improve their pedagogical strategies.

Real-World Relevance: Mary Jackson reminds us that applied learning shifts the focus from grading to empowering students to address real problems. The traditional question, "When will we use this in real life?" becomes obsolete, as students actively engage in identifying community needs and creating solutions. To facilitate this shift, administrators must trust and empower teachers with autonomy. Applied learning cannot thrive in a micromanaged environment; instead, administrators should provide guidance and set an example by embracing experimentation.

Campus-Wide Culture of Applied Learning: Mary Jackson also emphasizes the importance of creating a campus-wide culture of applied learning. Administrators play a crucial role in modeling and leading a community of applied learners, encompassing both teachers and students. To do this, they should provide a framework for teachers to work within, encourage an environment of experimentation, and exhibit trust in the teaching staff's abilities to shape students into independent learners.

In conclusion, to successfully implement the applied learning model in your school district, it is essential to empower your teaching staff, provide opportunities for experiential learning, embrace failure as part of the learning process, and create a campus-wide culture of applied learning. As administrators and leaders, you have the power to shape the environment in which applied learning can thrive, ultimately preparing students for a future where they can confidently tackle real-world challenges. By heeding the wisdom of experienced applied learning educators like Ale Checka, Christee Allison, Sarah Soule, and Mary Jackson, you can set the stage for an innovative and effective educational journey for your students.

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