This week, in our Teaching Seminar section of PSI, the topic of Powerful Learning Conditions was introduced to the group. Contrary to high-school norm of a new idea being introduced through a handout or a lecture, our instructor Kurtis Hewson employed the use of a rather insightful video. Though it was short, and to the point, the video was a rather creative take on the topic.

The video itself that we watched was called "How Youth Learn: Ned's Gr8 8"; it is a hand-drawn video, narrated by a teenage male with a "very average teenage brain". In the video, Ned, our narrator, articulates eight conditions that need to be met in order for him and his peers to really engage in their learning. Though not word for word, the eight conditions outlined in the video were that students:

1. Need to feel okay
2. Learn best if a topic matters to them
3. Should engage in active learning
4. Need to be stretched
5. Have a coach 
6. Have to use the knowledge in some way
7. Can think back on what they learned
8. Are involved in planning their next steps

Immediately after watching this video, I thought back to certain classes that I took in my first two years of my degree, and noted how powerful some of these conditions can be. For example, when I was fresh out of high school, I went straight to college. First semester, at 8 AM, Monday to Thursday, I had an introductory calculus class. In high school I had pretty good grades in math, so I figured maybe it'd be a class I'd enjoy. Boy was I wrong. 

First of all,  I was not (and am still currently working on being) a morning person. Having to get up at 6 am to shower, get ready, and catch the bus was not a fun thing to do. As well as fatigue and constantly yawning through the class, I usually didn't have time to grab breakfast, so I was also dealing with both hunger pains, and the embarrassment that came with them when people heard said pains bellowing from my belly. That constant struggle with physical and psychological noise prohibited me from simply feeling okay in that class. As well, being a university level math class and all, the class wasn't very keen on the active learning method. The instructor wrote out all of their notes on three white boards, while the class copied them down, formula for formula. The math problems were written and answered by the instructor, and nobody ever mustered up the courage to answer the questions posed, or even ask any of our own. To further our knowledge, we did worksheets, and were evaluated by a mid term, and a final examination. Class dismissed. 

If factors as simple as whether or not I had eaten before class, or whether or not we did a little group work every now and then contributed that greatly to my learning; I want to make sure that in my future classes, these problems should be addressed, (even in a minor form) on a daily basis. 

For example, taking five minutes at the beginning of the day, allowing students to pair up, eat a snack, and talk about something personal to them, whether it be positive or negative, can eliminate some physical noise (student hunger), as well as psychological noise (acceptance in class; relief of a personal issue). Also, rather than individual group work and boring old lectures, class can be structured around group activities, community visits, and perhaps even student led lessons. 

For now, it's going to be a work in progress, trying to weave these eight conditions into my future planning and learning as a preservice teacher. It may be a little tricky at first, but in a year's time, this is going to be a subconscious thought process for me. (And hopefully, I never resort to full blown lecturing, worksheet giving, and test taking, mode.)
Andrew Crabbe
9/15/2013 11:19:04 am

I really enjoyed your post. The inclusion of the personal story makes it for me. It is easy to say that we will follow the great 8 but it is a harder thing to do to implement it. We also cannot forget that we too are affected by these eight conditions. We are still learning and are not exempt from these factors.

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9/15/2013 11:43:17 am

Great first post Cheyenne! I really hope that you keep that personal experience in your mind as you continue through your education program, focusing on how you can ensure engaged learning for your students. If you can keep focused on always providing meaningful learning and positive environments for students, you can be that teacher that inspires students to reach their potential. Looking forward to reading future posts!

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