3 Simple Actions for Fostering Learning Ownership in Your Learners

Having the great opportunity to learn through a quality education is a right of all children. Learning ownership simply means that a child is actively involved in their education process. Unfortunately, not every child is excited about learning, but there are small ways to begin making that happen.

Wanting to do well is one of the traits exhibited by students during this process. Some want to do their homework, listen attentively in class, and finish projects with ease. Others find it tortuous, and as such they struggle with summoning the drive and ambition to follow through. 

What are some ways that we can guide students towards taking successful ownership of their learning? Here are 3 simple strategies that can help.

Show as Much as Teach

Having live demonstrations that the kids are actively involved in helps them to be more engaged in the learning process. Getting them out of their seats to participate is more active than passively tolerating a long lecture. This can apply to basically any subject from history to language arts, and even STEM curriculum.

Lighten Up on the Homework

Time and time again it’s been proven that excessive amounts of homework can cause a child heightened levels of anxiety. They don’t get anything out of the time spent doing it, and it just discourages the ones who can’t seem to tackle it all. Only give homework that is absolutely necessary, and that isn’t just “busy work” for home.

Ask Their Opinions Often

Getting your students involved in the learning process to encourage ownership starts with just asking them their opinions on things. This can range from projects the class should do, books for assignments, and any of the inner workings of the classroom.

By asking them to weigh in you get them more excited about the process of what goes on there every day. Another engaging learning ownership exercise is providing them with self-reflective learning questions.

It doesn’t take a lot of extra time to implement these techniques in your own classroom. Plus, many times the way a child feels about their learning is directly related to how much they enjoy being with their teachers.

So engage, be positive, and show them how much you care about their education since it will help to make them want to learn as much as you want to teach them!

Editor's note: This post was originally published in 2019 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.

Originally published Mar 11, 2019, updated Nov 11, 2021