Empowering Learners Through Clarity, Ownership and Deep Thinking
What is Visible Learning?
Visible Learning is a high-impact teaching approach based on John Hattie's research. It focuses on making learning clear, intentional and measurable - for both the teacher and the student. At Ripley Central, we are committed to building a learning culture where:
- Students know what they are learning, why, and how to improve.
- Teachers see learning through the eyes of their students.
- Students become active, reflective, and empowered learners.
What does Visible Learning look like at RCSS?
Learning Walls
- Learning Walls are an essential part of visible learning at Ripley Central, they aid and support pedagogical practice and instruction as well as improve learning achievement for students, particularly in English. Our goal is that every student can use the Learning Wall to identify where they are in the learning journey and what their next step is. Learning walls are:
- Co-constructed with students and updated regularly, facilitating the learning process and evolving throughout the unit of work.
- Include the learning intention, success criteria, word walls, anchor charts, exemplar texts, feedback, and student work.
- Support students to work independently, reflect on learning and self-regulate.
Project Zero Thinking Routines
- We embed Thinking Routines to make student thinking visible, deepen understanding and support classroom dialogue. These routines develop critical, creative and metacognitive thinking across all year levels. Examples of Thinking Routines can be found on Project Zero's Website - https://pz.harvard.edu/thinking-routines
Learning Intentions & Success Criteria
- Explicitly shared at the start and referenced throughout the lesson.
- Help students understand what they're aiming for and how to get there.
Effective Feedback
- Feedback is timely and specific, focused on the success criteria and delivered by staff, peers, and through self-assessment.
- Student voice and goal setting is valued where students can set and reflect on goals, as well as use evidence to guide their next steps.
Visible Learning ensures that learning is not just done but deeply understood. It lifts engagement, achievement and student agency.
Together, we are creating EPIC learners who are Empowered, Polite, Inclusive, and Careful, and who can articulate and own their learning journey.