Let learners curate and certify their own learning

They say exercise is good for the brain. Here's the post I mentally constructed (with assistance of a mobile device) on my run today.

Much is being written these days about personalizing student learning as a means to motivate and engage. Yet, the goal of education predominantly remains the achievement of the certification and not the usefulness of the learning. I'd like to suggest that we will not have an authentic, self-directed or personalized learning until the learners also control their own certification.

When we plan for and control the learning of others, they learn at least how to be subservient, if not, compliant. After 13 years, it's little wonder many struggle to know who they are and what they want to pursue when, and if, they graduate.

We should assist learners in building learning communities where they connect, create and curate. Technologies afford us many ways to show what we know and what we can do with what we know. While the shifting of power and responsibility for curating learning to the learner will be chaotic, complex and create disequilibrium, it will also bring awe, surprise and wonder.

Where might we start?

1. Create a fertile environment for growth. Give students voice and develop strong personal relationships. Remember that seeds can lay dormant for awhile before they germinate. Go ahead and pull the weeds. No amount of yelling, "Grow now!" will do any good though. Be patient. 
2. Loosen control. Start by finding appropriate ways to get out of the way of learners. Resist the temptation to help or rescue.
3. Encourage the unique strengths of each learner. That means ANYthing. Don't fear the "one-trick pony." 
4. Buckle up for the ride. This will be a rollercoaster adventure. Or whatever metaphor excites and terrifies you.