Abstract
If you think about your own experiences of learning there are probably moments that stand out, experiences that stay with you and improbable links that helped concepts fall into place. These memorable moments are often surprising, frequently entertaining but always relevant. Behind the scenes creating these hooks is a skill and an art in itself – the ability of a subject specialist to make their subject come to life.
These ‘quirky’ approaches to learning and teaching don’t always fall into a specific area of pedagogical practice – they can be simple or complex, a bit of a twist on a well-known strategy or a completely new take. They can involve applying common approaches in novel ways or being a magpie and shaping ideas gleaned from elsewhere to your own learning environments. Minecraft, origami, window art, mood boards, meme-making, sketchnoting, the application of creative writing, scavenger hunts and newsrooms are just some of the areas that have cropped up in our own teaching.
It’s often through these moments that the thinking, the personality and enthusiasm of the lecturer shines through. Modelling for students not just how to apply knowledge and skills but also how to take pleasure in the process. Quirky approaches can add a degree of levity to the learning environment whilst encouraging students to view the subject at hand from a range of angles. This helps build breadth and understanding, encourages experimentation and independence and creates an enriched student – and staff- experience.
These ‘quirky’ approaches to learning and teaching don’t always fall into a specific area of pedagogical practice – they can be simple or complex, a bit of a twist on a well-known strategy or a completely new take. They can involve applying common approaches in novel ways or being a magpie and shaping ideas gleaned from elsewhere to your own learning environments. Minecraft, origami, window art, mood boards, meme-making, sketchnoting, the application of creative writing, scavenger hunts and newsrooms are just some of the areas that have cropped up in our own teaching.
It’s often through these moments that the thinking, the personality and enthusiasm of the lecturer shines through. Modelling for students not just how to apply knowledge and skills but also how to take pleasure in the process. Quirky approaches can add a degree of levity to the learning environment whilst encouraging students to view the subject at hand from a range of angles. This helps build breadth and understanding, encourages experimentation and independence and creates an enriched student – and staff- experience.
Original language | English |
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Type | Blog |
Publisher | #LTHEchat |
Volume | 282 |
Publication status | Published - 12 Jan 2024 |