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Joy captures the thrill of true learning – the curiosity, the passion, the collaboration, the connection, the effort, the fun, the pride, the sharing. Joyful learning speaks to both the learning process, where there is considerable evidence that a focus on techniques that we would describe as joyful are far more effective, and to an outcome that we believe should be valued highly: Joy.
Our current short definition of joyful learning is, "Engaging, empowering, and playful learning of meaningful content in a loving and supportive community. Through the joyful learning process a student is always improving knowledge of self and the world." We recognize, however, that joy is experienced individually and that context matters a great deal. We also recognize that experts in the field might use slightly different descriptors. For example, Tony Wagner might describe it as "passion, play, and purpose" while Martin Seligman might focus on "meaningful engagement." What is more important to us is that we are having the conversation – that we value joy in the learning process and as a life outcome.
“Failure after long perseverance is much grander than never to have a striving good enough to be called a failure.”
-George Eliot
Our current short definition of joyful learning is, "Engaging, empowering, and playful learning of meaningful content in a loving and supportive community. Through the joyful learning process a student is always improving knowledge of self and the world." We recognize, however, that joy is experienced individually and that context matters a great deal. We also recognize that experts in the field might use slightly different descriptors. For example, Tony Wagner might describe it as "passion, play, and purpose" while Martin Seligman might focus on "meaningful engagement." What is more important to us is that we are having the conversation – that we value joy in the learning process and as a life outcome.
“Failure after long perseverance is much grander than never to have a striving good enough to be called a failure.”
-George Eliot