A culture of learning is a collection of thinking habits, beliefs about self, and collaborative workflows that result in sustained critical learning (Heick, 2014).
Every classroom and every school has a unique and specific learning culture that distinctly influences those within. A learning culture refers to the shared attitudes, beliefs, practices, and values that underpin how an institution designs the education of its learners (Watling, 2015). Teachers and administrators play a key role in the development of a learning culture, which directly influences students and their learning.
Strong and healthy school cultures are welcoming, encouraging, growth-minded, appropriately challenging, and build up those within it. Elements that create this healthy environment include positive teacher interactions, healthy relationships among peers, safe environments for learning, and a belief from all involved that learning is possible for everyone. Even critique and discipline, though often assumed to be a negative element, work to create a strong learning culture. A teacher’s critique, while sometimes emotionally challenging, signifies that one is worthy of that teacher’s attention, and thus that one has potential (Watling, 2015).
These elements, when done intentionally and with care, can effectively create a successful learning culture for all. A learning culture that successfully builds a workforce who are confident to live through change and feel confident in their growing skills and competencies (Kogan Page, 2019)
Heick, T. (2014, February 14). Promoting a Culture of Learning. Edutopia. https://www.edutopia.org/blog/promoting-a-culture-of-learning-terry-heick.
Kogan Page. (2019). What is a Learning Culture?: Nigel Paine. YouTube. https://youtu.be/Pn9AAw3vcXs.
Watling, C. (2015). When I say … learning culture. Medical Education, 49(6), 556–557. https://doi.org/10.1111/medu.12657