I believe there are two kinds of learning ‘spaces’ in schools today: captivity spaces (plentiful) possibility spaces (treasure!) & Reference: Haskins, Tom. "Entering Possibility Space." Growing Changing Learning Creating. 11 June 2009.

Inside a captivity space, the central questions are “can I?” and “why should I?” Future performance is largely determined by past experience. Familiarity is comforting. Prior learning is work that is finished and can be put behind us. What is not known or has not been mastered looms ahead like a threatening black hole.

When one enters a possibility space, the fundamental question shifts first to “how can I?” and then to “how does that help me do something new?” What we don’t know becomes an opportunity. What has already been learned is the launching pad. The unfamiliar can be fascinating.

Imagine what a school would be like if each child who walked into a classroom believed it was a possibility space. We have the tools. We have the responsibility. It’s time to ‘make it so.’