Dimensions of Learning Framework

Dimensions of Learning is a practical framework that K-12 Teachers can use to improve the quality of teaching and learning in any content area. It is based on research and theory which is explained in Dimensions of Learning, Teachers Manual 2006, Marzano & Pickering. More than ninety educators worked on this model for two years, the educators helped shape the basic program into a valuable tool for reorganising the curriculum, instruction, and assessment. The use of this manual is as a structure for planning units of instruction.

Dimensions on Learning uses what theorists and researchers know about learning to define the learning progress, it is made up of five key dimensions:

Dimension 1 – Attitudes and Perceptions: Attitudes and perceptions affect students’ abilities to learn. When a student’s attitude is positive their learning is enhanced. Two focus areas to develop attitudes and perceptions are Classroom Climate and Classroom Tasks.

Dimension 2 – Acquire and Integrate Knowledge: Helping students acquire and integrate new knowledge. It is important to define the type of knowledge being learnt, there are two basic categories, Declarative Knowledge and Procedural Knowledge.

Dimension 3 – Extend and Refine Knowledge: Learners develop in-depth understanding through the process of extending and refining their knowledge. When students understand the importance of the knowledge, they can use that knowledge, to develop understanding students extend and refine the knowledge they initially require.

Dimension 4 – Use Knowledge Meaningfully: The most effective learning occurs when we use knowledge to perform meaningful tasks. The purpose of acquiring knowledge is to be able to use it meaningfully.

Dimension 5 – Habits of Mind: The most effective learners have developed powerful habits of mind that enable them to think critically, think creatively and regulate their behaviour. Habits of Mind indentifies productive mental habits that along with Dimension 1 (Attitudes and Perceptions) form the back drop of the learning process.

These five dimensions work together, see the graph below of how they work together.  

Image courtesy of - http://www.kurwongbss.eq.edu.au/thinking/Dimensions/Dimensionsmodel.jpg

I find the Dimensions of Learning Framework to be a very useful tool and will use this framework throughout my studies and when teaching in a school context. Particularly I find Dimension 1 & 5 to be the most useful. A students attitudes and perceptions (Dimension 1) effect their learning, it is important for the learners to develop positive attitudes and perceptions about the classroom climate and the classroom tasks for the best learning to be achieved, dimension 1 informs educators on techniques to best achieve this. If learners feel accepted by teachers and peers and experience a sense of comfort and order this develops positive attitudes about the classroom climate therefore enhancing their learning. This also applies to developing a positive attitude and perception about the classroom tasks, if the students perceive the task as valuable and interesting, if they believe they have the ability and resources to complete the task and understand what the task involves it will have the same outcome.

Dimension 5 discusses the learner habits of mind and along with attitudes and perceptions this enhances the learning process, enhancing learning and content knowledge. This also helping students to be successful learners in whatever circumstance and will continue to serve students in the future. This dimension involves both the educator and learners, if the educator models and reinforces good mental habits it will influence the students to develop productive habits of mind.

The Dimensions of Learning Teachers Manual is interesting and useful, it explains each dimension and how to put it all together, I have learnt a lot from this framework and advise everyone to have a read. Online I found a brief overview of the manual if you would like to take a look http://www.hbe.com.au/PUBLIC/HBEItemImages/pdf/197134.pdf

Reference

Marzano, R.J. & Pickering, D.J. (1997). Dimensions of Learning Teacher’s Manual.

          Alexandria, Virginia USA.