Seven Principles
for
Professional Growth
#7: Build Horizontal Connections
The learning environment strongly promotes "horizontal connectedness" across knowledge areas and subjects, as well as to the community and the wider world.
- A key feature of learning is that complex knowledge structures are built up by organizing more basic pieces of knowledge in a hierarchical way. If well constructed, such structures provide understanding that can transfer to new situations - a critical competency in the 21st century.
- The ability for learners to see connections and "horizontal connectedness" is also important between the formal learning environment and the wider environment and society. The "authentic learning" this promotes also fosters deeper understanding.