Learning Journey(s) with school classes and teaching teams

Intrinsic Learning Lab AG
Jul 8
2 min read

Learning culture development through DOING: Collaborative, creative, competence-oriented, in other words «COLEARNING»

Between 2021 and 2023
700 students, 45 teachers
175 self-made products, 18 exhibitions, 6 documentary videos

The "Colearning" Learning Journey provided students and teachers with an experiential approach to STEM subjects and sustainably strengthened future skills such as creativity, critical thinking, and self-regulated learning. During a quintal, students worked together to build a meaningful project from recyclable materials, testing a variety of skills.

The process was at least as valuable as the finished product. It was excellent preparation for subsequent project work.

Headmaster of the City of Zurich (5th grade)

Concept

At the heart of the learning journey was making: a self-directed process in which analog and digital tools were used to develop physical artifacts. Following the Curriculum 21, students from grades 4 to 6 implemented their own ideas in project-based projects, practiced future skills, and explored self-organization strategies.

Key aspects

Project work in the STEM field
Promoting creativity, problem-solving skills and teamwork
Development of self-regulation strategies

Learning Design / Process

Introductory phase: Getting to know the process, identifying topics and sketching ideas
Planning & Research: Material search from recycled stocks and technical concept development
Construction phase: Technical implementation of the projects in small groups
Reflection & Presentation: Feedback sessions, reflection on successes and challenges, and final presentations

Role of teachers

During the Learning Journey, teachers observed and documented skill development, provided resource-oriented feedback, and supported the transfer into everyday school life. The following tasks were the primary focus:

Observe: Get to know students from new perspectives
Mirroring: Identifying strengths and strengthening resources
Further development: Identify your own fields of action and anchor them in the classroom

Curriculum Connection

The learning journey was compatible with the subject areas of Mathematics, Design (TTG), Nature, Humanity, Society (NMG), and Media and Information Technology and touched on interdisciplinary skills such as personal, social, and methodological skills. Topics related to Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) were also incorporated.

Network & Setup

The learning journey(s) took place at Intrinsic in a 400 m² learning environment that enabled independent exploration and experimentation. Through cross-class collaboration and the involvement of experts from industry and academia, students and teachers gained practical insights into STEM careers.

Voices from business and science (German only)

v.l.n.r Engin Bumbacher (PH Waadt), Manu Kapur (ETH Zürich), Sonja Studer (Swissmem)

Results

Over the past two years, we have supported over 700 students and more than 45 teachers from various schools. This resulted in over 175 self-made products, 18 exhibitions, and six documentary videos.