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What is a compelling learning experience?


The information on this page is taken from QCA's leaflet about compelling learning experiences. You can downloaded the leaflet here.

A compelling learning experience is a real and relevant context for learning through which young people recognise for themselves the importance of learning to their lives, both now and in the future. Learning becomes compelling when young people take an active engagement with and responsibility for their own learning, increasing the impact and potential for future development.

Teachers and school leaders have shared examples of their learning experiences. They have certain characteristics in common, which are summarised below.

A compelling learning experience:

  • gives learners a sense of autonomy, including the chance to think critically, make decisions, take responsibility and manage risks
  • offers opportunities for cooperation and collaboration
  • broadens horizons and raises aspirations, offering contexts that challenge learners and encourage them to step outside their comfort zone
  • is real and relevant, connecting learning at school to the world beyond the classroom
  • has a clear sense of audience and purpose
  • provides contexts that draw together several aspects of learning: connecting different subject disciplines, focusing on a specific subject, or linking learning through cross-curricular dimensions or the development of personal, learning and thinking skills
  • has clear learning outcomes relating to what learners need to know and understand, the skills they will acquire and areas of personal development.