How do we LEARN best?

  
     

“Great minds have purposes—others have wishes.” ~author unknown

As teachers we often "wish" that students would learn something we consider vital. As Christian mentors, we must instill PURPOSE instead of merely FACTS.

A tool to help us instill PURPOSE is Experiential Learning - Servant Learning.

WHAT IS EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING?

Answer the following questions:

  1. What book did you read second semester of your 3rd grade year in school?
  2. Have you ever been to the Grand Canyon?

No matter what the answer to the above questions...you will notice how fast you were able to answer those questions. Experiential Learning is deep, long-term, and meaningful learning. That is the type of learning experience we, as teachers, want to spend our valuable time preparing. Most other learning experiences may be a waste of both our time and our students' time.

How to Become a Memorable Teacher

Kolb's Learning Theory

Things to Remember: All learning should involve transitions through Kolb's Learning Cycle. Deep learning takes place when all styles of learning are integrated for any concept. Relying on a learner's "style" of learning does not force the learner into the state "cognitive dissonance." It is this state of mental unrest that helps the learner gain lasting and deeply-integrated understanding. All learners need to be challenged in order to grow.

In groups of 4: Think about Haitian Earthquake. Give examples of activities, lessons, practices, experiences which would take the Servant-Learner through all the Stages in Kolb's Learning Cycle. 

 

Which of your lesson experiences would you expect students to remember after 1 year.

MULTIMODAL LEARNING:

LEVEL OF INVOLVEMENT

Discussion: Looking at Jesus methods, place them in the appropriate categories in the Learning Pyramid

 

·       Step 1: Review the above Pyramids

·       Look at the material and discuss it in a small group.

·       Step 2: Each student Go to http://typewith.me/M9gOQ0nXe2  and participate in a collaborative report by editing each other’s work.

·       Which way did you most enjoy the lesson? On the Screen or Interactive?

REFLECTION

In groups of 3 discuss the following questions:

(1) Describe the type of activities that would be the MOST VALUABLE?

(2) As Learning becomes more ACTIVE, what happens to the role of the Bible Mentor (teacher)?

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