Reflective Learning is designed to ensure students build a strong foundation of knowledge before progressing to more complex topics. One of the ways this is achieved is through locking certain Subject Journeys until the previous ones are completed to a mastery level. But why is this approach necessary? Here’s a breakdown of the reasoning behind locking Journeys and how it benefits students:

1. Mastery of Foundational Concepts

At the heart of Reflective Learning’s approach is the idea that knowledge builds upon itself. Just like in mathematics, where students must understand numbers before progressing to fractions, the same principle applies to other subjects. The mastery of foundational concepts is essential because advanced topics often rely heavily on this knowledge. If students move forward without a solid understanding of the basics, they will struggle to comprehend more complex ideas.

For example:

• Numbers before Fractions: A student who hasn’t mastered numbers will find it difficult to work with fractions, which require a deep understanding of numerical values and relationships. The image below provides an example where the student is unable to proceed with ‘simplifying by factorization’ due to difficulties in factoring a trinomial and recognising the difference of two squares.

• Visual Communication before Oral Comprehension: A student must first develop strong visual communication skills before they can effectively interpret and respond to oral communication tasks.

By locking Journeys until previous ones are mastered, Reflective Learning ensures students are fully prepared to tackle new challenges.

2. Preventing Knowledge Gaps

One of the biggest challenges in learning is the accumulation of knowledge gaps. These gaps can occur when students are allowed to move on to more advanced topics without fully understanding earlier material. Over time, these gaps can make it nearly impossible for students to succeed in their studies.

Locked Journeys act as a safeguard against this. By requiring students to demonstrate a high level of understanding before moving on, the system prevents them from progressing with gaps in their knowledge. This way, when students encounter more challenging material, they can draw on a robust foundation of skills and concepts.

3. Fostering a Deep Learning Approach

Reflective Learning encourages deep learning rather than surface learning. In surface learning, students might only memorise facts or procedures to get by. However, in deep learning, they develop a meaningful understanding of the material, allowing them to apply their knowledge in new and varied contexts.

Locking Journeys helps promote this deep learning approach. Students can’t simply rush through the material, they must engage with the content, identify patterns, solve problems, and gain a thorough comprehension before moving forward. This kind of engagement is crucial for long-term retention and application of knowledge.

4. Supporting Personalised Learning

Reflective Learning is built around the concept of personalised learning, where the pace and content are tailored to the needs of the individual student. Locked Journeys help maintain the integrity of this personalised approach by ensuring that each student progresses at their own pace.

If a student needs more time to master a particular Journey, they are given that time. The focus is not on rushing to the next topic but on ensuring that they are fully ready before advancing. This helps prevent frustration and discouragement, as students aren’t forced to move on before they are ready.

5. Ensuring Long-Term Success

Ultimately, the goal of locking Journeys is to set students up for long-term success. By mastering foundational concepts, students are better equipped to handle complex problems and ideas. The step-by-step approach helps them develop confidence in their abilities, as they know they have the necessary skills to succeed.