ABSTRACT
Socially-embedded learning is rooted in meaningful relationships with family, peers, qualified adults, and community members and is grounded in community and social interaction. Relationships are at the center of the work in learner-centered environments. Learners are seen and known as wondrous, curious individuals with vast capabilities and limitless potential. Learner-centered relationships run deep. Connection and relationship are biological imperatives for satisfying the social brain and release space for the left brain to build knowledge and skill sets. In a school-centered paradigm, relationships tend to be uneven – more teacher questioning and learner sharing; less collaboration between the two. While most relationships in education are learner to teacher, it’s important for the relationship building to extend beyond the walls and into the larger learning community as more learning environments embrace the element of open-walled learning. Learner-centered education requires deep relationships, but we cannot do this work alone in the confines of the four walls of the classroom or school.
