Learning Contracts
Learning contracts are contractual documents between learners and instructors which delineate the objectives, expectations, and duties associated with the learning process. They are vital because they foster responsibility and improve the common awareness of educational goals.
A leaning contract is usually composed of the learning objectives, the resources required, the methods of assessment, and the timeline for completion. For instance, a student might suggest their goal of improving their writing skills, specifying that they are going to read three books on writing, submit drafts for feedback, and do this within a semester.
Learning contracts are great students tools as they are means of having the control of their own learning. They not only include the expectations but also give the chance to the students to be responsible for their progress of learning. Whatever the case, a student that outlines a few specific goals in a learning contract will undoubtedly remain considerably more focused and will complete the course more easily.
Learning contracts are great tools for educators to customize the learning experiences and to assess the progress effectively for each of the students. For example, a teacher may develop a contract that gives a student the option to select project subjects of their personal interest, thus promoting the inclusion of the student in the project and consequently, deeper learning that way.
A few of the hindrances that could be faced while the implementation of the learning contracts means the unawareness of the scholars about their own responsibilities, being against the accountability that they cause and troubles in nesting contracts within the curriculum standards. For example, if a learner does not reach their desired goals, this might bring up a conversation concerning the assistance that they would need in order to effectively achieve their targets.