Words have power. When you hear or read a word or label, your mind creates a picture and that picture makes a statement. The words and the image they create are illustrated below. So we need to think before we choose the word that will create the vision we hope to communicate.

Students sitting in rows listening to a teacher.

Learners heavily engaged and excited about their learning.

Dispensers of information and knowledge.

Adult professionals helping learners to set personal learning goals and coaching them to become self-directed learners.

The adult who manages the school and makes sure that everything is running right.

The person who has articulated a vision of what the learning center will look like, feel like, and be like when operating at its ideal best and is “going for it!”

The subject matter that will be covered/taught to all learners.

A clear description of what the learners will know, be able to do, and/or “be like” when they have mastered an intended learning goal.

The semester or yearly subjects/classes that are taken by students that become part of their transcript and qualify them for graduation.

Any experience, chosen by the learner or by his/her learning coach, that helps the learner master an intended learning outcome.

How the teacher has determined to provide information to the students so that they can pass tests on the topic; that is, “How is the best way to teach this?”

Learning facilitators and learners jointly determining, “How is this “learner outcome” best learned?”

The “A through F” indicators that show how close a student
has come to passing a teacher-designed test.

A learning facilitator, personally discussing a learner’s work with the learner, and then sharing his/her reaction and possibilities for improvement.

The building where students go to take classes and where basketball games are played.

The place where learners go to meet with their learning facilitators and/or their learning coaches. Learning centers include the community at large depending upon location of the learning opportunity.

The boundaries and facilities consistent with the legal definition of a “school district.”

An unwritten agreement between learners, learning professionals, parents, and the business community resulting in the understanding that the community and the learning community are one and the same.

Those students who have passed all courses required by the state and the school board, and have received a signed diploma indicating their graduation status.

Those learners who have met all graduation requirements and have clearly demonstrated their desire and capacity to be a self-directed, lifelong learner.