One of our statements in our vision is to create life long learners. Part of this problem is that the world instead doesn't want life long learners they only want learners for now. Let me give you an example. I had a student that created a magazine for a media studies standard and she was penalised because she did too much. Yes, you heard me right. If I had just picked out a couple of pages that were purely her work and not taking ads and adapting them to the tone of her magazine she would have gotten a higher mark. That is because standard-based learning has very strict criteria and if you don't hit them or go beyond them it becomes difficult to mark and therefore the learner is penalised.
As the new year starts I think it is important to set goals and make a plan for your future. In this lesson you can take it to work on a level 3 English research but really it is about being that life long learner and unfortunately the standard is just too small for the big picture.
So he is basically saying in the short term you need to pass standards and gain credits. But that is only a finite goal. Passing a level or getting into University is still just a finite goal. Instead, you should be looking at the bigger picture.
We don't make you set goals just because we want to be mean. Instead, we want our students to make an impact and feel fulfilled.
As teachers, we are sure that being a life long learner will give you fulfillment. Learning daily practice. It is work. It is effort. Learning isn't because you are smart. Waiting for the last moment to cram for an exam, a late-night spent writing that essay might get you past that finite goals but it will not give you fulfillment, it will not make you a learner.
If you want to delve deeper into the idea of infinite vs finite you can read this book.
Or you can read Simon Sinek's book which is a bit easier to read and understand.
Set your goals for this year but keep in mind your infinite goal.
If you want to work towards a standard then think of a film or novel where the characters were playing an infinite game against a finite player. An example Hunger Games. Everyone was playing just to survive the games but for Katniss it was about surviving life.
More resources if you are going to do the research: