Throughout our lives people have attempted to teach us stuff — some things stick... other things don't. So, let's take a swing at compiling a list of teaching techniques that were effective on us:
First: Think of 1-3 things you were taught that really stuck with you . They could be trivial — "the state birds for all 50 states" or they could be serious "The compression-to-breath ratio when performing CPR." — Or your significant other's birthday / anniversary.
Next: Why do you think it stuck? Was there a particular technique the teacher used? Were there sensory experiences that went along with it? Was there an emotion or urgency attached with it? Did you figure it out yourself?...
Comment Away!!!
4 comments:
These may seem trivial, but a few things that have stuck with me throughout the years are:
1. Specific measurements (i.e. 2.54 cm = 1 inch; 5,280 feet = 1 mile; speed of light = 186,000 miles per second)
2. Spelling of specific words (Czechoslovakia, Massachusetts, etc.)
3. Certain phrases ("Oh cursed spite, that ever I was born to set it right," "Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds")
As far as measurements, I've always had an ability to remember seemingly useless numbers or figures. Obviously these prove somewhat useful when you need to reference them, but they don't always have practical applications (it's not really feasible for the layperson to measure the speed of light).
For spelling of specific words, I've always liked the challenge of learning and using hard-to-spell words to stump friends (I used Czechoslovakia during a game of hangman in fourth grade). I also memorized the spelling of some words as way of redeeming myself (I missed a perfect score on a geography test in eighth grade because I misspelled Massachusetts).
And I've always been a fan of phrases that I consider cool, profound, and unique. Be it Hamlet's aside about his plight or J. Robert Oppenheimer lamenting the unleashing of atomic energy during the Manhattan Project (quoting from the Bhagavad Gita), something about these eloquent phrases strikes a chord and sticks with me.
I'm with Evan on this one...my head's full of seemingly useless and trivial information. Stuff that's stuck with me over the years:
1. The vehicle which carries the Space Shuttle from the hangar to the launchpad gets 8ft/gallon.
2. When I was about 5, I learned how to spell "friend" from a picture-puzzle in a Highlights magazine at the Dentist office.
3. Nothing makes Michelle (my wife) happier than when I do the dishes.
Why did these things stick?
1. It was about 4th grade and the concept of 8ft/gallon just boggled my little mind.
2. It was a PICTURE-puzzle...I'm a sucker for anything visual.
3. I love my wife and I'm motivated to bring joy to her life...so I remember the things which do that, and I do them often.
So the stickiness, for me, is probably best summarized as "aha!" moments...but they're brought about by varied stimulae. Seems to me we all learn in different ways at different times.
I'm on a different route.
This is probably pretty typical for most people - but I seem to be able to pick something up super quick if someone shows me how to do it and then I just repeat that task a few times. It just gets stuck in my head or something.
This has helped me a good deal with technology. Software and other graphic design things...
Another example (as dorky as this might be...) is music. When I was on the drumline for marching band in high school, that same technique was used... Most of the music we played was not on paper. I can still play that stuff to this day.
I think I remember things visually more than anything.
I can remember stuff back from when I was probably only about 2 years old. It's weird because I usually just have a flash of the image, then the rest comes to me.
It was always like that in college too. I never really "studied" my notes, I took snapshots in my head, and I could see the whole page during a test.
And for me, video works well. I used to watch a lot of Discovery and History Channel, and I can remember countless facts just by recalling the cool graphics or animations they had on screen.
And sadly, I can remember pretty much any part of any video game I've played in the past like it's my own memory. I still have debilitating Doom flashbacks at night! ;)
So maybe it's just something that has a strong visual impact that makes me store it and be able to recall easily.
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