>> Making Learning Fun >>
How can we make learning fun and engaging to increase students' motivation, retention, and performance?
walter@coursewell.com
Here are some ideas:
1. Incorporate games and interactive activities into the lessons. Games can provide a fun and engaging way for students to learn and practice new concepts. Create a Jeopardy-style game to review material or use digital tools like Kahoot or Quizlet to create interactive quizzes.
2. Bring music and movement into the lessons. Research has shown that music & movement can effectively promote learning and memory retention (Jablon, 2019). Ask students to create a story, drawing, or song. or rap a new concept or use dance or movement to help students remember key terms or concepts. It's okay to relax and be a bit silly.
3. Use apps. Technology can make learning more enjoyable. Educational apps and games can effectively engage students and provide a fun and interactive way to learn. Duolingo is a language-learning app that uses game-like elements to help students learn a new language. Similarly, Minecraft Education Edition is a game-based learning platform that allows students to explore and learn in a virtual environment.
4. Find real-world examples and experiences. Research has shown that learning is more effective when relevant to students' lives and experiences (Marzano, 2007). Use current events or famous cultural examples to teach a concept or take students on a virtual field trip. Or, ask them to get away from the computer and find examples in the real world. Say, ask them to visit a company or work site and interview workers.
REMEMBER: Fun is an emotional state characterized by positive feelings, such as happiness, excitement, and satisfaction. When people engage in activities that they find fun, they often experience a sense of flow, where their skills and abilities are perfectly matched to the challenges they are facing. This can lead to immersion and engagement in the activity, enhancing overall enjoyment and satisfaction. "Fun, play, and humor have been found to foster creativity, social bonding, and positive emotions, and to contribute to learning and adaptive coping with stress and adversity." (Ryan & Deci, 2001, p. 158)
References:
> Jablon, P. (2019). The power of music and movement in the classroom. Edutopia. Retrieve from the Edutopia website.
> Marzano, R. J. (2007). The art and science of teaching: A comprehensive framework for effective instruction. Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.
> Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2001). On happiness and human potentials: A review of research on hedonic and eudaimonic well-being. Annual Review of Psychology, 52, 141-166.