We learn best
by doing. When students are actively involved, they wake up, rise
up and speak up. That's when the learning takes place. Educators,
advisors and sponsors don't always have the time for extended
experiential activities. However, if facilitated properly, even
with quick events they can have great impact.
The best teaching
activities are:
Engaging.
The activity should interest and challenge students. It should
require enough participation to generate meaningful discussion
afterwards. Many simple games and puzzles have lessons you can
extrapolate during the debriefing.
Fun.
Students want to have fun. Take them through an experience they'll
enjoy. Then guide them through the activity to make sure their
experience is rich enough to learn from once debriefed.
Unusual.
Deviate from business as usual. Give them something that will
be a highlight of their day, something they'll want to talk about.
This gets their attention, and keeps them thinking.
Repeatable.
In many cases if the activity or game is repeatable, they'll play
it again on their own with friends or family. This will reinforce
the lessons associated with the experience.
Reflection.
This is critical. The entire purpose of the activity is to give
them a shared experience to discuss. It's during the debriefing
that the learning actually takes place. Do not rush the discussion.
Note your observations during the experience and draw on them
for discussion.
For effective
techniques for facilitating discussion, read the article: Activity
Wrap-Up: How to do the Debrief.
For specific
ideas on great teaching activities, check out Silver
Bullets, Quicksilver,
Adventure
in the Classroom, Diversity
in Action or Focus.