Learning in Depth – how every child can become expert in something
VINCENT VAN GOGH“If one is master of one thing and understands one thing well, one has, at the same time, insight into and understanding of many things.”
An extension of Egan’s ideas about the importance of knowledge to imagination, “Learning in Depth” became an important part of the work of the IERG following the publication of Egan’s book of the same name (University of Chicago Press, 2010). Billed as “a simple though radical innovation in curriculum and instruction designed to ensure that all students become experts about something during their school years,” LiD does not require familiarity with Egan’s broader ideas about educational development for its implementation, and it has been tried with success in a number of countries. While the basic idea is straightforward, the potential implications of the program for students, teachers, and schools are profound.
In the original conception of LiD, a child is given a particular topic to learn about through her or his whole school career, in addition to the usual curriculum, and builds a personal portfolio on the topic. According to Egan, “children usually take to the program with great enthusiasm, and within a few months LiD begins to transform their experience as learners.” The program usually takes about an hour a week, with the students working outside school time increasingly. It is possible for individual teachers to implement LiD with a single class over the course of a year, but the greatest benefits are seen when an entire school adopts the program and both children and teachers can experience the growth of knowledge over a number of years. The program can be introduced at any grade level, though the ideal is to begin as children start school.
Some Introductory Resources
A thoughtful paper on first hearing about Learning in Depth by Emily White (PDF)
An essay on “The Abundance of LiD” by Ryan Hughes [PDF]
A reflective account of “The Role of the Teacher in LiD” by Linda Holmes [PDF]
Learning in Depth Showcase at St Michael’s Elementary School in Burnaby, BC – June 2016 (Youtube)
Some More In-Depth Resources
Learning in Depth
By Kieran Egan
“This is a fascinating, provocative, utterly visionary and courageously speculative imagining of an educational future that is simultaneously elite and egalitarian, deeply intellectual yet utterly connected to passion and identity. A most audacious proposal from one of education’s most audacious thinkers . . . an inspiring challenge to those who aspire to deep understanding for their students.”
Lee S. Shulman, President Emeritus, The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.
For the publisher’s web page for this book: Click here.
LiD Kit
$50.00 + shipping
Box containing a book, resource booklet, laminated list of LiD topics, 2 DVDs, 104 activity cards, and 2 brochures.
Author: Kieran Egan and The Learning in Depth Team, Centre for Imaginative Education
Copyright: 2013
ISBN: 9781926966151
In LiD, students do not choose topics for themselves but are given them. (In some schools this becomes an exciting part of the start of the school year.) While there is a vast range of suitable topics to choose from, care must be taken to avoid topics that are too narrow or too vague, or that raise cultural or other concerns. This document includes a list of more than 100 topics teachers have found suitable in practice, as well as a second list of topics that may work in some circumstances or for some students but not for others.
Based on the practical experiences of teachers who have introduced LiD in their classrooms and school, the material in this guide is intended to support you in successfully implementing the LiD program whether you are a teacher, an administrator, parent or online educator.
High school teacher and CIRCE Associate Kelly Robinson has produced a set of LiD handouts that can support and enrich students’ work.
Sheri Dunton, K-3 teacher, Corbett School, Oregon“The Learning in Depth project has brought to our students a completely new relationship to learning that has been surprising in its depth and quality.”