Community of Learners
Community of Learners
Continuous lifelong learning takes place in a community. eMINTS helps teachers learn the importance of building a community of learners where learners share, take risks, respect and push each other as they find their own best ways to learn and engage in deep content with one another.
Click the + below to view the Community of Learners Competencies.
Educator establishes a learning environment where learners work effectively in teams.
Educator Exemplars
a. Develops lessons that incorporate principles of effective cooperative learning (e.g., positive interdependence, individual accountability, equal participation and simultaneous interaction).
b. Develops self- and peer-assessment strategies that promote cooperation.
c. Integrates technology to facilitate group collaboration. 
d. Routinely locates, organizes and implements community-building activities to cultivate a positive learning environment.
Learner Exemplars
a. Work effectively in cooperative groups during learner-centered learning activities.
b. Support each other in their learning so that each learner’s contribution is vital to team success.
c. Respect and value the unique contributions of each group member.
d. Freely explore and share resources and information with peers.
Educator fosters interpersonal, noncognitive skill development in an atmosphere of safety so individuals feel comfortable taking intellectual risks.
Educator Exemplars
a. Establishes learning environment routines that promote learner autonomy and self-management.
b. Continuously monitors and plans for learner interactions and provides support for the development of social skills.
c. Interacts with learners respectfully with both verbal and nonverbal communication.
d. Works with learners to develop norms that promote a positive learning environment.
e. Celebrates personal growth, dedication and hard work of learners.
f. Demonstrates/models skills and strategies that empower learners to resolve issues and accomplish tasks (e.g., through compromise, listening, learner experts, etc.).
g. Provides coaching, questioning and support to learners as they self-monitor and resolve peer-to-peer conflicts.
h. Provides opportunities and encouragement for learners to become leaders.
Learner Exemplars
a. Refer to norms to self-monitor and to maintain a healthy learning environment where teasing and bullying are not tolerated.
b. Are comfortable taking risks and are willing to share ideas and experiences.
c. Use various methods to persevere through challenges (e.g., working through problems without educator assistance, asking other learners for help, consulting various information sources, trying alternative solutions).
Educator independently seeks out avenues to extend their learning and improve professional practice.
Educator Exemplars
a. Uses various media to obtain and share knowledge about teaching, learning and technology integration (e.g., professional journals, blogs and online articles).
b. Actively develops and participates in a personal learning network (PLN) to explore new instructional practices and collaborate with peers face-to-face and online.
c. Transfers new instructional strategies and emerging technologies into practice.
d. Stays current with professional research in order to inform instruction.
e. Uses metacognition to reflect on professional learning for personal growth.
Learner Exemplars
Not Applicable
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