Article+on+Gradual+Release+of+Responsibility

The gradual release of responsibility is what every teacher should want written in //Better Learning Through Structured Teaching// by Douglas Fisher and Nancy Frey.



"Learning—the goal of schooling—is a complex process. But what is learning? It's a bit more complex than most people think. Consider the following definitions of learning and the implications each has for teaching:  The process of acquiring knowledge or skill through study, experience, or teaching  Experience that brings about a relatively permanent change in behavior  A change in neural function as a consequence of experience  The cognitive process of acquiring skills or knowledge  An increase in the amount of response rules and concepts in the memory of an intelligent system Which definition fits with your beliefs? How is it that you learn? Think of something that you do well. Take a minute to analyze this skill or behavior. How did you develop your prowess? How did you move from novice to expert?

We would argue that the things you do well were taught to you through a series of intentional actions. You probably did not develop high levels of skills from simply being told how to complete tasks. Instead, you likely had models, feedback, peer support, and lots of practice. Over time, you developed your expertise. You may even have learned more when you had to share that expertise with others. The model that explains this type of learning environment is called the gradual release of responsibility."