What Does a Learning Contract Look like

When embarking on a learning journey, whether it be for personal or professional development, it is important to establish clear expectations and objectives. One way to do this is through a learning contract. But what exactly does a learning contract look like?

First and foremost, a learning contract is a written agreement between the learner and the teacher or mentor. It outlines the goals, learning outcomes, and expectations of both parties involved in the learning process. The contract should be tailored to the specific needs and objectives of the learner and should be reviewed and updated as necessary throughout the learning journey.

So, what are the key components of a learning contract?

1. Goals: The learning contract should clearly define the learning goals of the learner. What do they hope to achieve through this learning experience? What skills or knowledge do they want to gain?

2. Learning outcomes: These are the specific measurable results that the learner wants to achieve. For example, if the goal is to learn a new programming language, the learning outcome might be to write a basic program using that language.

3. Learning activities: The learning activities are the specific tasks or assignments that the learner will undertake to achieve their goals and learning outcomes. These might include readings, research, practice exercises, or projects.

4. Expectations: The learning contract should outline the expectations of both the learner and the teacher or mentor. This includes deadlines, meeting schedules, communication methods, and feedback processes.

5. Assessment: The learner and the teacher or mentor should agree on how the learning will be assessed. This might include assignments, tests, quizzes, or project evaluations.

6. Resources: The learning contract should identify the resources that the learner will need to complete their learning activities. This might include textbooks, online resources, software, or equipment.

7. Constraints: Finally, the learning contract should identify any constraints or limitations that may impact the learning process. This might include time constraints, budget limitations, or accessibility issues.

In summary, a learning contract is a vital tool for establishing clear expectations and objectives for the learning journey. By outlining goals, learning outcomes, activities, expectations, assessment, resources, and constraints, both the learner and the teacher or mentor can work together to create a successful learning experience.