I like Schank's idea of natural learning. It is more fun because it involves discovery and learning the things you want to learn, when you want to learn them, as a child does.
Learning is also remembering and being interested in adapting new scenarios to existing experience and being able to modify your beliefs when necessary. This process of adaptation builds your experience base and contributes to further learning.
How can learning be best effectuated by a teacher/ trainer?
I love stories! Who doesn't?
If a teacher had a brain like a computer program , they could come up with just the right story at just the right time to illustrate the concept they are teaching. I really enjoyed reading about the interactive video programs that have been developed and especially think the animal creation program would be so interesting and fun to kids. (to me ,too!)
A teacher can be prepared with several stories in mind that relate to the concept that is being taught. They need to be flexible on the direction the class takes which may not be what they were anticipating. Another thing they can do is be patient and wait until the students are ready to hear or present an activity that prepares them to hear the story.
I agree with you on natural learning.
ReplyDeleteWhen you want to learn about something then the learning becomes more lasting. The teacher does need to be flexible and be able to change directions if necessary.
Sharee,
ReplyDeleteI agree that learning is fun and engaging when it is interesting, experimental, and involves discovery. I think that is why I went into science. We are always questioning and experimenting. I am always saying that there is no failed experiment, just one that gave us new questions to explore.
I agree that a teacher needs to be prepared with stories that connect to concept being taught and willing to use the stories to reteach information that did was not understood. I also agree that flexibility is key to successful teaching.
I liked the concept of natural learning as well, and I think that story telling helps create the interest that students need to feel motivated to learn. I am a history teacher and stories can really make lessons very interesting, especially stories that students can identify with. I also like your thought about preparing students to hear a story. I think it helps to give students something to look for as you share a story, so they are more aggressively listening.
ReplyDelete"Learning the things you want to learn, when you want to learn them, as a child does." That comment truly reflects what learning is. Children are the best at learning. We could learn a lot from children.
ReplyDeleteI like stories too! I think they are a great resource for learning. Some of my most memoriable learning experiences have come from teachers telling good stories. I like hearing about other peoples life experiences, especially when they are enspiring. I always admired those teachers who could tell a story in a way that would capture your interest and would allow you to make connections to the topic at hand
ReplyDeleteI agree that learning is better when the learner finds interesting. Stories are a great way for the learner to connect to the information.
ReplyDeleteGood Job