Students who have used the U-Say program have shown tendencies to choose more demanding science subjects and mathematics. This is a promising sign that the digital learning program is having a real effect.
Only 75 per cent of pupils in upper secondary education complete and pass within five years. It made wise minds in western Norway think completely new. Inspired by a so-called "learning mindset" from psychology, the University of Stavanger, in collaboration with Rogaland and Akershus county municipalities, has given young people a completely new entrance to their own learning. Increased sense of mastery, better performance and well-being are key words and motivation for the digital learning program called U-Say.
"Our mission is to ensure better implementation in school. The digital training is very easy to carry out, and we hope it will help both teachers and students in the teaching situation, explains senior adviser Elin Svensen in the Education Department in Rogaland County Municipality.
The innovation project ran from 2017–2020 and received NOK 6 million in funding from the Research Council of Norway.
Strengthening the students' learning mindset and mastery
Research results show that U-Say has a significant impact on students' belief in their own learning opportunities. It strengthens their learning mindset, normalises challenges and gives them the tools to tackle complex tasks.
"Students are encouraged to understand that it is natural to encounter difficulties, and that these challenges are not signs of a lack of ability. This normalisation of effort ensures that students expect that learning can be demanding," explains Mari Rege.
The learning process strengthens students' expectations through the program
The U-Say program explains to students what happens in the brain during learning. Two learning sessions of 20 minutes each three weeks apart at the start of the school year, will give a boost to the students' expectations of their own learning potential. Using insights from decades of research, including from the United States, digital learning provides an easy-to-understand understanding of brain functions and illustrates the importance of tackling challenging learning tasks.
"Students' lack of faith in their own opportunities to learn can lead to them giving up too easily when faced with challenges they are actually capable of solving. U-Say normalises the effort of learning, promotes strategies for asking for help and encourages students to see learning as a demanding but possible task," says project manager and professor at the University of Stavanger Business School, Mari Rege.
The brain's functional areas are activated by development through learning, which provides an increased sense of mastery
Students learn that the brain can be compared to a muscle – it gets stronger and smarter when you train it. You train your brain by working on assignments and subjects at school that make you have to think hard. When you struggle to learn something new, it means that you are learning – not that you are stupid. They use the metaphor of weightlifting to convey this point to youngsters, so they understand the importance of taking on challenges and remembering the knowledge in practical situations.
"Through various tasks, the students get the opportunity to use the knowledge they learn in a practical way. The assignment can be about guiding a friend who is struggling with motivation, where the student will use their knowledge of the brain to support their friend. By linking theory to practical situations, the pupil can anchor the learning in real situations, explains Rege.
U-Say strengthens students' learning potential by choosing tougher subjects and setting higher goal requirements
Research shows that when students have a strong learning mindset, they are more likely to take on challenging tasks, develop an enduring interest in learning, and ultimately perform better academically. Results show that students who have used the U-Say program choose more challenging subjects, especially in math. This is important because the choices you make in school can affect what you do later. If they choose tougher subjects, especially in math, it can mean that they are more confident and motivated to tackle difficult tasks.
"U-Say is a contribution to a better learning culture, but the most crucial contribution comes from the school's overall culture and the teachers' role as class leaders. Their influence in the classroom is crucial for creating a supportive learning environment," says Rege.
U-Say is now available to high schools across the country. A simple Feide login is all that is required to use the learning program. Although it is currently most prevalent in Rogaland, other schools are encouraged to take advantage of U-Say's potential to improve Norwegian students' learning experience and motivation.