learn for your self.

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A key factor to success as an adult is social-emotional development: self awareness, self-regulation, social awareness and social relationship management. 

The benefits of social-emotional learning in the classroom are well documented. 

The Studio balances academic work with social emotional competencies. 

The foundation across subjects and further, into life after high school, is critical thinking. This is the set of skills that allow us to effectively assess and analyse complex situations and determine needed skills and knowledge to proceed. In a future that's unpredictable with ever changing technology, memorized facts hold less importance than the ability to determine the needs of the current situation and problem solve for a viable solution.  

Critical thinking supports higher levels of reasoning. 

The ability to share thoughts and ideas with a receptive audience is the basis of communication. This extends beyond old style essay writing and into the way most of us communicate in the 21st  Century: short-style writing and formal  and informal speaking. The ability to present ideas to a small or large group in an engaged and persuasive way as well as the ability to listen and reflect understanding are key components to learning communication in the Studio. 

Strong oral communication skills are vital to future success.

In the world of design thinking, collaboration is a means to an end. Collaboration is a complex set of hard skills that can be learned, but it requires support and direct work to consciously develop. Being part of a team is one of the most challenging and rewarding activities that we can participate in. 

Innovation is the application of creativity. The issues of the 21st Century world require solutions that are radical and different. Finding those solutions will depend on risk-takers who will challenge old ways of thinking and doing 'business as usual'.

In the Studio when a problem presents itself, we use divergent thinking in group conversations to come up with innovative solutions that meet multiple needs. Through the use of open-ended projects and time for passion-finding, students can tap into their personal sources of creativity.  

This mind set is central to all the other areas. Entrepreneurial spirit includes being connected to a personal passion, creating opportunities for development, taking calculated risks and responsibility for success and failures. The need to adapt to changing circumstances and a willingness to try again are the foundation to being a self-directed, motivated learner and adult.