by John Pederson, QLN Magazine

At any given time, today's cell-phone savvy, double-clicking teens are just one IM away from the latest lingo and hottest new trend.  It's more difficult than ever to find consistency among today's youth, unless you're talking about a group of Quantum Learners.  

Quantum Learners represent a growing global community of young people taking ownership for their success through "Principle-based Learning" from a company called Quantum Learning Network (QLN).  

For a quarter of a century, QLN's learning and life skills programs and products have provided students a "code" that acts as a constant reference point for academic and personal excellence.  They refer to this principle-based approach as Quantum Learning.  According to QLN spokesperson Sue Baechler, principle-based learning provides "achievement and learning strategies within a larger framework of excellence to help students navigate the entire spectrum of academic, social and personal development."

This framework stresses what QLN President Bobbi DePorter calls, "The 8 Keys of Excellence," universal behavior principles honed over 25 years at QLN's worldwide SuperCamp program which has graduated more than 43,000 youth and impacted 2 million lives.

According to QLN, these principles can help all children achieve their goals, despite age, interest or ability.  They include: Integrity, Failure Leads to Success, Speak with Good Purpose, This is It, Commitment, Ownership, Flexibility, and Balance.

How do you teach something like commitment or integrity?  According to DePorter: "You must first build authentic bridges into your students' lives. Once the link has been established, you can bring them into your world and give your understanding and your content.  With this new understanding, the students can take what they've learned out into the world and apply it to new situations."

To see these principles in use in a quantum-learning classroom is to understand the value of a constant reference point for behavior and personal expectations.  
 
Teacher Carol Fieri -- Azusa, California Teacher of the Year in 2005 -- describes the first day of class in her high school English class. "I tell students that they need to look inside themselves and find a few things before we can get started.  And if they can't find these things, they need to find a different teacher. 

One of these things is integrity.  To describe integrity, I have them write the letter "V" on their right palm.  It stands for values.  Then I have them write a "B" on their left palm and tell them it stands for behavior.  Next, I have everyone clap their hands together.  Integrity is when values and behavior come together.  They get it immediately."

According to Baechler, it's the consistency and accessibility of this principle-based approach that make it so effective.

"Students love it because they get the tools and skills needed to handle whatever school, peers, and families throw their way.  Teachers love Quantum Learning because it provides emotional access to their students' ever-changing world."

Does it work for every student? Teacher Fieri says it works differently for different people. "But all students get something out of being in a quantum learning classroom in terms of character development. I had one student taking 9th grade for the second time. Before the first day of class he told me that he hated school, hated English and hated teachers. After class, he stopped at my desk and said,' I still hate English, but I think I could learn from you.' "

To locate Quantum Learning schools and classrooms, visit www.QLN.com or click here to see our online listing with DHEGuide.