21st Century Learners Dispositions
Evaluating Entrepreneurs
The Learners Dispositions guide is a list of qualities that would reflect the optimal behaviour and mindset of a learner in the 21st century. This chart gives students ideas of how they are doing in their studies and social lives, everywhere. It also is a tool that can be used to reflect on how they are doing by matching well done qualities to the chart.
I have chosen two qualities that my entrepreneur (Ole Kirk Christiansen) has displayed exceptionally well.
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PS
If you want to look at the chart then get off that LCD (or OLED) screen of yours and look at Room 21's whiteboard.
1
Disposition
Real World Problem Solving and Innovation
Criteria
I can investigate a problem and generate ideas and alternatives
Evidence
The time Ole had during the Great Depression of the 1930’s is a great example of finding new alternatives and ideas from a problem. When he had to dismiss his workers, he had no big way to generate steady income to live. By trying something new (toy making) and taking a risk, he launched his new idea out to the world and he created an alternative solution to the problem he faced before. Even from there he had experienced workshop fires and still found a solution by looking at the problem in a growth mindset perspective. By buying the plastic molding machine was also a risk, but one Ole was willing to take. That risk created the Lego brick we know today.
2
Disposition
Skilled Communication
Criteria
I can communicate a set of connected ideas, not just a single idea
Evidence
When Ole first re-designed the sample he was given at the convention and created the first Lego brick, he wanted to integrate the early brick idea into some of his toys as a side project, not the main sellers. From small 2D houses to simple trees, Ole still had to communicate with his team about how the scheme would turn out. Even before the early Lego brick was released, Ole had to communicate with his rehired workers to create the 50 plus wooden toys they were to make. Lots of ideas were discussed, but more importantly, lots of different ideas were discussed between the Lego team.
My Take
In this small editors afterword, I just want to give my own opinion.
The LD (Learners Dispositions) is a great chart, but the only thing I see it useful for is the ability to reflect on how you're doing. This wasn't part of the work, but I wanted to add some FLARE and EXCITEMENT . When some student look at the disposition chart, sometimes all they see is stress to meet the preferred requirements. So that's my opinion to this chart. What I think could be an improvement is that student set their own expectations and really break their bones hard if they set them too low. They will learn, however long it takes, that if your standards go down you will go down. Because in today's society, if you perform good you get poor results, if you perform excellent, you get good results. So that's what I have been trying to follow more than a chart that sets you on a path thousands have took.
Now to whoever made this, we're cool, right? The Dispositions is a great resource, but too industrial to me.