You Aughta Teach in Pictures

Learning is a lifelong process and occurs any and everywhere, but people typically think about the process occurring in the classroom. Students learn information, content, and ideas through a dynamic relationship with their teachers, peers, and environment. Everyone has his or her own part in the production of Academia. Good teachers must employ various teaching methods and techniques, using activities, media, and a little creative thinking.  Enter stage right technology! Although often miscast as only electronic aids, educational technology is any supporting role that makes the lesson, the star of the show, more appealing, and therefore memorable.  For example, Batman can kick bad-guy butt on his own, and a teacher can impart astronomy knowledge through just a lecture. But, throw in Robin and a virtual field trip to space, and all of the sudden there is a lot more POW! and PUNCH!
While there are some Oscar worthy improv characters out there, most notable performances are well scripted. A teacher drastically improves a lesson, and the learning process, by having a detailed plan. The first step is to design the instructional unit and identify the competencies students will achieve, much like a director planning out a script. Next, the teacher breaks the unit down into daily lesson plans, or scenes. Finally, the teacher creates a “to-do” list, and then it’s: Lights, camera, action! The importance of a well-laid plan being said, it is also critical for a teacher to observe, react, and respond to the students. Flexibility and adaptability are a must. Do you think “Here’s lookin’ at you, kid,” was actually scripted? (It wasn’t – just Bogie reacting and adapting to the scene.)
Typically, people prefer to learn in one of three ways, visually, aurally, or kinesthetically. The best lessons star all learning styles, and have some of those comedic relief educational technologies as sidekicks. The idea that people tend to learn the best when given information through their preferred senses corresponds with Howard Gardner’s theory on multiple intelligences. Gardner claims everyone possesses intelligence in words, logic, music, special concepts, physical body, understanding others, understanding one’s self, nature, and the world’s biggest conundrum: The Meaning of Life. If someone happens to excel in any one of these areas, he or she is a prodigy.  Cue Einstein, Mozart, Nietzsche, and Jeff Foxworthy (interpersonal genius I tell you, who else could make a fortune off rednecks?). Basically, everyone is different. During childhood development, people’s neurons wire differently, and their environments and experiences are unique. So it only makes sense that people learn and absorb information differently. You can bet Tarantino did not direct Samuel L. Jackson and Uma Thurman the same way, I'm just saying. Teachers can use those fantastic sidekicks of educational technologies to stimulate different senses as well as intelligences in the classroom. Who knows? Perhaps there is a prodigy just waiting to come out of his or her shell - Foxworthy watch out!
To take learning styles one step further, Richard M. Felder and Linda K. Silverman worked out a model that details learning styles as active/reflective, sensing/intuitive, visual/verbal, and sequential/global. After taking the test (twice because I’m just that stubborn) I am apparently a very strong intuitive learner; coming in at 9 and 11. And I wondered why accounting wasn’t for me? Repitition? No thanks. Bottom line? Don’t think so. Routine calculations? Boring. As far as the other styles go, I’m pretty middle-of-the-road. I’m slightly more verbal (English major), and slightly more active (basketball player?). I was surprised to see an inclination toward global learning. But, after writing this blog and moving just about every paragraph around, I guess I agree with that too!

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