By connecting to the real world of students’ lives, authentic learning enables students to become lifelong learners who contribute to society and the wider world as active and discerning citizens. Authentic learning is central to our work as Catholic educators because it promotes the continual growth and wellbeing of the whole person — spiritually, intellectually, emotionally, socially and physically.
At St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School Mortlake, we have a clear belief that children learn to be creative thinkers and problem solvers when pedagogy is:
Engaging: Allowing children to be active learners, discovering new knowledge and skills through questioning and investigating
Authentic: Involving students in significant, worthwhile and meaningful learning and providing timely feedback
Explicit: Identifying, articulating, demonstrating through modelling exactly how to use skills, strategies essential for learning
Collaborative: Involving trust, reciprocal respect, open communication, shared decision making and reflective thinking.