Situated Learning

One of the most challenging aspects of teaching is gaining and then keeping student engagement. Classroom interaction through question and answer can take learning only so far.

Embrace authentic learning experiences that link classroom concepts to real-world contexts. Instead of just lecturing on ecosystems, take your students on a nature walk, encouraging observation and data collection.

History classes can come alive by having students dress as their favourite character from a given time period. We want to avoid a classroom full of William Shakespeares or Martin Luther Kings, so have your students research the fashions of the period under study. Have them dress as ordinary people from that era. Re-create the conditions for a famous speech or episode of the time.

Yes, math and science people, you can do it too. Re-enact an Isaac Newton discovery, dress as Marie Curie and explain her radium research.

If you’re looking for deeper understanding and critical thinking, it’s the way to go.

Of course, you’ll need structure and clear objectives, but what area of teaching doesn’t need those things?

The key takeaway here is authentic.

By embedding learning within authentic contexts, you empower students to become active learners, better prepared to apply their knowledge to the world around them.