What is the difference between experiencing and merely hearing? Read on, the answer will not surprise you, but will likely resonate with you and shed a pleasant and hopeful light on an important topic.
Not to re-emphasize what we already know, but, we live in turbulent times of fast past change, both technological and social. There has been, and will likely continue to be, an ever-increasing rate of change and these changes have impacted many aspects of our lives, in particular, our educational system. The world of chinuch (education) is being stressed and burdened by the rapid rate of change and the mounting concerns about our students' future only add to the challenge. In a world of instant everything, ADHD, youth-at-risk, passionless goals, low resolve and motivation, it is incumbent upon us, at the very least, to consider our options. To avoid the ‘facts on the ground' or even to delay our response to them, threatens our most valuable asset; our youth.
Many of us are at a point where we have seen and/or been affected by some of the pitfalls and weaknesses of a classical academic setting. Whether your perspective is that of a parent, teacher, or student, we have all had concerns or even hesitations with the current educational system. The educational, social, and of course, spiritual ramifications of any approach to chinuch are of immeasurable import. As such, the development and implementation of a healthy, positive, and sustainable approach is integral to our future.
The idea is not to radically change and revolutionize chinuch as it is now. Thankfully, what is available today has positively shaped the entire spectrum of Jews. Rather, the aim is to augment what is already offered and to actualize the potential that exists within the current system. To re-invent the wheel is both unnecessary and detrimental, but to re-grease the wheel is vital and integral to our continued growth. What is proposed here is the ‘grease' that can be implemented into any existing pedagogy, regardless of affiliation or particular segment of the Orthodox Jewish community. The goal here is to generate an awareness of a structure that is meant to augment, not uproot, the classical class room setting.
An essential ingredient to any viable educational system is variety. The students of today and tomorrow are inevitably varied and have distinct needs, perforce, the educational approach should accommodate this dynamic. It therefore comes as a pleasant harbinger of hope that the world of chinuch is now beginning to embrace a powerful and unique approach: Experiential Education.
Experiential Education is the latest buzzword in educational circles. A Google search for Experiential Education yields about 603,000 results and topping Google's list of entries is of course, Wikipedia. They define Experiential Education as:
"…a philosophy of education that describes the process that occurs between a teacher and student that infuses direct experience with the learning environment and content. The Association for Experiential Education regards experiential education "as a philosophy and methodology in which educators purposefully engage with learners in direct experience and focused reflection in order to increase knowledge, develop skills and clarify values."
To understand how and why this approach is effective is simple; all it takes is a short perusal of your memory bank. Try and think of events in your life that have left lasting impressions. It can be a social event as a child or as an adult that taught you an important lesson, or an experience that generated a powerful emotion or deeper understanding. It may have been an incident which instilled a message that until today you value and appreciate or an achievement that empowered you to strive and excel. Relive that event or experience and recognize its impact. Now, step back, and try to imagine to what extent that message or emotion would be felt if it were merely stated to you or written on a chalkboard ( err, I mean PowerPoint presentation, sorry). The comparison is dramatic, and self-explanatory. Though, the possibilities are endless, the results point in one direction: experiences powerfully mold who we are, and how we act, think, and speak.
It is for this reason that creating a situation in which students can contact and internalize ideas or feelings by experiencing them first hand is so powerful a tool. We can speak with passion about determination, but to achieve a goal by being determined is another world. We can tell inspiring stories of personal success, but to succeed because we harnessed our inspiration is far greater. We can teach about the importance of motivation with glorious examples, but to taste the joy of working with motivation will leave an indelible mark on one's self-image. Through this approach, our values and ideals can be transmitted to our youth despite the tidal wave of impediments that inundate them each day. This is the core of experiential education; consequently, the ability for powerful and long-lasting results is an expectation, not an aberration, in this field.
Building a student into a confident person who is interested and able to integrate information effectively is the foundation. The beginning of this process involves instilling core traits and skills. By starting with confidence and motivation, the student is empowered to learn proactively, as opposed to bearing the brunt of learning through osmosis. There are many venues that can be harnessed to accomplish these educational goals. From adventuring to trust-building exercises, role-playing to construction, each activity offers an opportunity to discover and nurture a different life skill at its essential level. The efficacy of these activities is greatly enhanced in a setting where giving-up is not an option or where backing out is unfeasible. The resulting structure only leaves room for success, not failure, for self-awareness, not self-avoidance.
To illustrate, the determination needed to reach the rewarding summit of a lofty mountain, or the responsibility required to participate in a trust-fall, can be achieved quickly and sustainably merely by engaging in the activity. A ten-day backpacking expedition, is much more than walking in the woods with loads of weight on your back, it is an exhilarating means towards a deep understanding of one's self and connection to the magnificent world we are blessed with. A three-day survival workshop is a lesson in appreciating what we do have and being resourceful to compensate for that which we lack. The end of the trip becomes the beginning of new outlook on life. To celebrate the successes of the group after working together as a unit is to learn how to work as a team and to rejoice in the successes of others.
With these fundamental traits established firmly within our students, they can begin the process of obtaining and acclimating knowledge effectively. This ability then serves to perpetuate a cycle of success and confidence. As our students grow into young adults, their decisions for their future, whatever they may be, will be made from a position of strength, foresight, and optimism. With Experiential Education the interface between participant and activity becomes the seed for a blossoming self-image, the root of increased self-confidence, and the brickwork for a life of success.
No comments:
Post a Comment