We have been discussing creating an environment that encourages self-motivation. Today we investigate the second of 4 keys to helping students develop the desire to learn. In the last newsletter (Part 2) we looked at being relational in our teaching. Today we take a quick look at being experiential.
Experiential learning – or active learning – encourages intrinsic motivation. That’s because the experience fully involves the learner. Nobody is a passive learner.
Changes are that most of what you love doing is because you got to learn by doing. You probably weren’t interested because you filled out a worksheet. Your interest likely ignited when you actively tried something. People are more interested and motivated to learn when they learn by doing and multiple senses are involved. You will learn more about working on a car by going into the garage and having a mechanic show you and letting you practice than you can by reading about it in a book sitting in a classroom.
Studies show that students in active-learning situations learn and remember more than their passive-learning counterparts. Look at the results of the following research from the University of Indiana:
After 30 days, Students remember:
10% of what they hear
15% of what they see
20% of what they see and hear
40% of what they discuss
80% of what they do
90% of what they teach to others
In experiential learning situations, students enjoy the adventure of making discoveries. Their own discoveries. Learners are not viewed as empty vessels waiting to be filled by authority figures. They get to crawl into the subject, pursue books that interest them, ask questions, find out what works, make their own connections to the real world, and share their insights with fellow learners. That’s motivating – intrinsically motivating.
Many aspects of the Teen Challenge curriculum encourage experiential learning. The PSNL scripture memory and character quality lessons are two good examples.
“Tell me, and I will forget. Show me, and I may remember. Involve me, and I will understand.”
Brainstorm ways you can make your group classless more experiential.
* Adapted from The Dirt on Learning by Thom and Joani Schult.
