Research has shown that learning by doing is the best way to gain understanding and retain knowledge. At Bergvliet Primary, one of the schools in Cape Town, where the Helen O’Grady Drama Academy runs its drama programme throughout the school, this approach has had huge consequences for the development of the children by giving children many opportunities, through the drama programme and other activities, to allow children to actively use the information and skills they are acquiring.
In the 1960s, through research, a learning Pyramid was designed by the NTL Institute in Bethel, Maine. This is as relevant today as it was then. Sadly our education systems still have not really taken heed of this with most of the classroom time spent either listen to the teacher or doing exercises, which as the learning curve shows only accounts for 50 percent retention and understanding.
The Learning Pyramid shows that learners retain approximately:
90% of what they learn when they teach someone else/use immediately. BINGO!
75% of what they learn when they practice what they learned.
50% of what they learn when engaged in a group discussion.
30% of what they learn when they see a demonstration.
20% of what they learn from audio-visual.
10% of what they learn when they’ve learned from reading.
5% of what they learn when they’ve learned from lecture.
We will know from our own experience that by giving a lecture or acting in a play, we really do learn so much more and remember so much more. Those of us who have been lucky to be in a school play or attended drama classes will be able to remember so much of what was done because it was active learning. However, can you remember what you were learning in class behind the desk? It is actually such common sense.
Just look at those schools who have a rich drama curriculum in Cape Town, taught by experts, such as Bergvliet Primary, and you will see the difference it not only makes to the schools academic results but also socially and with the children’s general confidence.
What is more, the experience of school becomes a highly enjoyable one because education becomes and broader and more experiential experience.
We need to structure the way we teach so that more active learning takes place and our children will learn quicker and more effectively.
Children from Bergvliet Primary actively involved in learning
In the 1960s, through research, a learning Pyramid was designed by the NTL Institute in Bethel, Maine. This is as relevant today as it was then. Sadly our education systems still have not really taken heed of this with most of the classroom time spent either listen to the teacher or doing exercises, which as the learning curve shows only accounts for 50 percent retention and understanding.
The Learning Pyramid shows that learners retain approximately:
90% of what they learn when they teach someone else/use immediately. BINGO!
75% of what they learn when they practice what they learned.
50% of what they learn when engaged in a group discussion.
30% of what they learn when they see a demonstration.
20% of what they learn from audio-visual.
10% of what they learn when they’ve learned from reading.
5% of what they learn when they’ve learned from lecture.
We will know from our own experience that by giving a lecture or acting in a play, we really do learn so much more and remember so much more. Those of us who have been lucky to be in a school play or attended drama classes will be able to remember so much of what was done because it was active learning. However, can you remember what you were learning in class behind the desk? It is actually such common sense.
Just look at those schools who have a rich drama curriculum in Cape Town, taught by experts, such as Bergvliet Primary, and you will see the difference it not only makes to the schools academic results but also socially and with the children’s general confidence.
What is more, the experience of school becomes a highly enjoyable one because education becomes and broader and more experiential experience.
We need to structure the way we teach so that more active learning takes place and our children will learn quicker and more effectively.
 |
| We always remember by doing! |
Comments
Post a Comment