This Thai commercial demonstrates how I learn and teach. Learners don't learn the way they used to. We as educators need to adapt and change the way we teach.
Like many learners today, I learn by doing, not listening. Wait, but that is the first thing we teach our kids at school, To LISTEN. And that's exactly where we have failed them, at least some of them. After almost 40 years, I have finally discovered how I learn.
I have attended countless workshops where I sit and listen to the presenter, but after a awhile, one of two things always happens. One, I find the presentation boring because I know everything the presenter is talking about and my mind starts wandering off. Or two, I find the presentation interesting, but when I think deeper about the content, my mind wanders off yet again. At the end of the workshop, when my mind somehow wanders back, I decide if the subject is worth my time. If it is, I'd go and learn it by doing it just like the girl in this video.
Take blogging for example, I went to a workshop about blogging. The only thing I came out from it was "blogger.com". I decided it was something I could use in my classroom, so I spent some time exploring blogger. Failed numerous times trying to figure things out (just like the girl), but at the end, I was able to create a blog, just like this one.
From understanding how I learn, I changed the way I teach. Especially towards the kids who are not doing well in school. I figured if they are not going to listen to you after the first five minutes, making them sit and listen for another thirty is just pointless. So instead of teaching them what the answer is, I started teaching them how to find a question (just like the mother in the video) and help them solve it. I started making my lesson (the talking part) much shorter. And extending the time that they can explore with guidelines.
Recently, I have transferred this into my workshops that I host. During EdTech, I showed this Pineapple video and gave a brief summary of what a Blog is, then I told the teachers to explore on their own using a web quest that I provided. I had 10 students (Google Buddies) present to help solve technical issues, and by the end of the workshop, everyone walked out with their first blog. How much do they actually remember? Probably not a lot, but I have taught them how to find a solution to their problems. I provided them with a blog that helps them learn how to create a blog. (http://wilclayblog.blogspot.ca)
I'm fully aware that my way of teaching is nothing new, I'm pretty sure there are plenty of books, theories out there that are similar. But I'm learning this the only way that I know I can, and that's by doing it.
