Meaningful Engaged Learning

Teaching and learning are fast changing form. Technology has opened the doors of learning wide, and as a result – the classroom, the learners and the instructors are all changing today.

It cannot be denied that learners today differ in competence and motivation levels at all learning platforms, be it a classroom or an e-learning module. The exposure to newer technologies has led to a gaping gap between the levels of teaching or instruction that a learner expects and what the instructor is able to impart. In such an environment it becomes difficult to attract and sustain the learner’s interest in the subject matter.

We faced this gap in ‘Tune’ (Our VSAT based live blended education program for Grad. & Post-Grad. Schools) as well, which led us to experiment with an adapted version of Dr. Michael Muir’s ‘Meaningful Engaged Learning’ model and we found it quite useful.

And here’s how –

We extensively use audio-visuals from everyday life that connects the most with learners. Young minds are especially impressionable and quick to associate certain qualities with certain personalities. This admiration can be fruitfully directed to a path of ‘aspiration’. Videos of role models of the young generation like Mahinder Singh Dhoni, Rahul Gandhi, or even the guy-next-door, who beat all odds to top the CAT, are a part of the classroom. Their strengths – from exuding confidence to dedicated perseverance becomes an example to learn from.

The tone is far removed from preaching, it is indeed in tune with experience (Pun unintended!).  This tone is maintained throughout and we also include the option of a local language, as per the reactions and needs of the audience.

It has also been realized that an effective forum of conducting such debates is the various sites of social networking like Orkut, Facebook and Twitter. These sites, even if seen in frivolous light by some, have been successful in engaging a whole generation. They have given a space for anyone and everyone to have an opinion. And so, the students who are not involved in a classroom to actively participate in any discussion are surprisingly vocal in online communities on these platforms.

Role playing is another way of creating awareness and interest on such issues. The rules of the Role play are laid out and a demo are run to show how it works. The Audience is then invited to participate in a similar exercise. Art of business communication is taught when the class is split into different groups of people, who communicate within an organization and a dialogue is run amongst them. The tone and format of communication, within the boundaries of organizational hierarchy are thus experienced.

‘Meaningful Engaged Learning’ model has been immensely successful in Tune, the students as well as their teachers standing testimony to its success. Its success is also a testimony to the fact that with virtual learning technologies, social media tools and lowering the cost of interactive sessions, classrooms today are changing to include and engage a variety to learners.

We believe this model has the potential to be equally successful in e-learning courses as well, which require engaging learners in a way that sustains interest as well as assures assimilation of knowledge. Will keep you posted on the results.