OFTP Discussion on The Image of the Learner | The Ontario Federation of Teaching Parents

The Image of the Learner Our changing work world requires lifelong learners who…	OFTP Discussion Teaching parents nurture lifelong learners:
1. are self-directed, take the initiative to decide what they need to learn and how to go about learning it;	Learning is fueled by curiosity. Help the learner determine and pursue personal interests. Ensure the enjoyment of learning is kept intact.
2. can make connections, integrate their learning with their own beliefs and experiences and many aspects of the world around them;	Parents are themselves learners. Share the beliefs and values of your family, its history and its goals. Show how these are played out and honoured each day. Children, by nature, are eager to understand the world around them. Encourage personal reflection, and enable participation in a wide range of experiences. Model understanding of others and respect for their views.
3. are creative, act on a vision; see beyond existing structures; are inventive and entrepreneurial;	Learning is a worthwhile endeavour and takes time. Provide ongoing opportunities for exploring ideas and developing skills. Give a wide latitude of time, space, and resources for experimentation and growth. The goals and accomplishments of others are motivating. Seek inspiration from innovators. Provide exposure in real life situations to models and mentors in a variety of pursuits.
4. can manage their own learning, learn effectively alone and with others;	The learning process is a continuum. Facilitate individual and cooperative efforts. Encourage the learner to join groups engaged in stimulating activities which involve people of varying ages in all walks of life.
5. can solve problems, formulate problems, think creatively and critically, engage in systematic inquiry;	People learn best when what they are doing makes a difference. Discuss areas that interest and intrigue the learner, and strengthen reasoning skills. Encourage questions, and access people and resources to aid in finding answers.
6. are responsible citizens, who make a positive contribution at work, home, and the community;	Parents want their children to mature and to be equipped for life. Pass on information and skills you consider most important through example and explanation. Support the development of life management skills. Education is accomplished in our hearts, our homes, and our communities. Promote a sense of belonging and of responsibility toward others. Encourage willing contribution to the duties and chores of your family, and volunteerism in the community at large.
7. have a positive attitude, demonstrate a positive sense of self and look for the best in people and situations;	Each and every person has a unique blend of gifts, aptitudes and abilities and is inherently valuable as an individual. Discover and support your child’s gifts and talents. Tailor your teaching to their needs, while encouraging their strengths. Children thrive in a supportive environment such as that created by loving family relationships. Families as a whole, as well as the individuals within them, have strengths and needs. Nurture attitudes of respect and affirmation. Value day to day interactions within the family, and its special traditions.
8. are effective communicators, use language and symbols effectively to express one’s point of view while listening and working effectively with others.	Language is a means to communicate, and a legacy. Dialogue with your children, listening actively and valuing their opinion. Instruct when necessary, providing frequent opportunities for feedback. The voices of others, and what they say, are important, and discourse is a great opportunity. Engage in conversation with others of all ages, while going from place to place, and provide exposure to many forms of media. Using varied strategies, foster an appreciation of the written word, and build skill in its use.

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2013 Web Editor’s Note: This name and address were included in the original webpage — the link has been updated, but Ms. Bennett may or may not still be in these roles and at this address. I presume it was she who passed along the Image of the Learner document, but I’m unable to find it anywhere on the web to verify who the author was.

* Carolyn Bennett
President Ontario ASCD
Associate Dean of Education
Nipissing College University
100 College Drive, Box 5002
North Bay ON P1B 8L7
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