ABSTRACT
A crucial difference in whether we learn something is the meaning or lack of meaning we attach to it. Meaning isn't the only variable in learning, but it is a powerful one. Meaning when applied to school experience, especially academic experience, is an elusive quality. The search for meaning in classroom experience represents one of the most purposeful but difficult quests for teachers and students. The Search for Meaning assessment strategy represents an attempt to reflect on the moral implications of the learning experience. Two additional outcomes of the Search for Meaning strategy are worth mentioning. First, this is a practical strategy. The second outcome is one of efficacy or empowerment. Psychologist Jerome Bruner described three learning modes that, taken together, bring balance to the curriculum and variety to the experiences through which teachers and students explore ideas, solve problems, and reflect on meaning.
