Learning Differently

“There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all argument and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance. This principle is contempt prior to examination.” - Herbert Spencer, Forbes Quotes

I’ve frankly become a little weary of the expression “new normal.” The facts are that everything is changing *all the time* and we must constantly adapt our efforts and approaches to achieve our goals. To me, this is normal; there is nothing “new” about it. Focusing on all the things we perceive as lost, and attempting to re-create past experiences, only serves as a path to frustration and futility. A focus on the past also imposes theoretical guardrails on the ideation of future experiences, aimed at the needs of learners.

Looking forward, not backward, helps us when we walk. It allows us to see what’s coming next so we can make intelligent, informed choices for our next steps. The quote from Herbert Spencer reminds us that everything has value and it’s up to us to be teachable. For every “we’ve always done it this way” approach, there exists an opportunity for innovation.

In the article “It’s not too late to make this online school year better” by Shayla R. Griffin of the Detroit Free Press, Ms. Griffin makes an understated plea to educators and parents alike to start rewriting the narrative around in-person education. The association of in-person education with “real teaching and learning” and the view that online education is but a “temporary stop-gap” needs to be reassessed. Online, asynchronous education has been widely accepted for learning, especially in the corporate environment, and has matured into a robust, effective, and efficient set of tools. The reluctance to blend in-person/synchronous and online/asynchronous in traditional learning institutions, in addition to a misguided focus on replicating in-person education online, may leave students confused and uncertain. Are students supposed to do the bare minimum as a “Zoom Zombie,” spending their days passively staring at a screen of a talking head?

Or, should we start learning differently?

Use the moderated online forums in learning management systems to foster collaboration amongst learners. Use “choose your own adventure” learning and incentivize learners by awarding badges or trophies to high achievers. Deliver quizzes inside of archived video content. Encourage students to make fun or informative background images for their video window. And, do it for yourself! It’s a lot more fun hearing about the primary exports of Italy if the students are looking at a beautiful picture of Venice behind you…

Reviving students' passion for learning requires using new techniques and state-of-the-art resources. Luckily, these resources are now easily accessible and provide fresh opportunities for interaction and motivation. We can revolutionize education by taking advantage of these developments and inspiring students to approach well-known material with new insights and a rekindled passion. It's time to seize this chance and investigate fresh perspectives on the ideas we previously believed we understood completely, rekindling in each student a lifelong desire for learning.

Getting learners excited about learning again requires new skills and tools. Thankfully, the tools are here. Now, let’s learn differently about things we think we already know.