THE LEARNING DIP- PART 2- 

GETTING IN AND OUT OF THE LEARNING DIP

PART 1- 5 MINUTES

Rationale

• The learning dip is the challenge we feel when we begin to learn something new. It can be difficult, frustrating and make us want to give up. Learning feels like this sometimes.
• Everyone gets in the dip- if we can leap over the dip, we are probably not learning or taking on big enough challenges. Some people even think we should get in the dip for some time every day by seeking out learning that will stretch our brain! They call it the Daily Improvement Process (DIP), and see it as a good thing, not a bad thing.
• But we’re not meant to stay in the DIP- when we stick at it, or try some different strategies, we can work our way out. It feels good to get beyond the dip.

Learning objectives

By the end of this lesson, learners should:

• understand what the learning dip is
• recall the D.I.P. acronym
• identify when they are in the dip
• realise that learning and improvement can only happen as a result of doing things that take us out of our comfort zone and into the learning dip
• identify and apply 4 strategies for getting out of the learning dip.

PART 2- WATCH, REFLECT, DISCUSS

What is a dip? Where/what situations might we encounter a dip? What kind of emotions accompany a dip? As a class, what strategies can you come up with for getting out of the dip?

FOCUS ON TRYING SOMETHING NEW THIS WEEK

What should you do when you make a mistake? What will happen if you continue to repeat this process? Try using the word "neuron" in your explanation! So how do we escape the dip? Give a real life example (even better, an example from your own experience).

FOCUS ON REFLECTING ON MISTAKES THIS WEEK.

FOLLOW UP MATERIAL

Use the Growth mindset and learning dip journal to continue to increase awareness and build great learning habits for the rest of the year. Set a time for quick reflection in class each week or fortnight, print out the booklets (below) and go for it!