Students need something more then rhetoric, words, they need something to believe in. They need something more then words on a page, videos on the screen, they need tangible, active, experiences where they are the orators, designers, editors. This freedom for students is often smothered out early on in their education. Teachers need to expose them again to the excitement, curiosity, spectacle of knowledge. These subtle yet effective tools can be used to make learning a stage, the aces up their sleeve. Students need their hidden gems that they feel comfortable pulling out of their arsenal at a moments notice. When they have a treasure trove of strategies they are more prepared for any pitfalls or hurdles they must traverse. These obstacles can be self-created or brought about by a misunderstanding of the content. It is one thing to help them understand the content, it is another to help them figure out their best assault against confusion or frustration.
To provide them with a choice of demonstration of knowledge is fantastic, it is more impactful however, to build in them a sense of self, to believe in themselves. This comes from experience and creating an atmosphere of trust and respect. It is forged through opportunities for failure and reconstruction of knowledge, but it is cemented only in personal strength and determination. We need to provide endless strategies and let them pick and choose what works best for them. The simple art of deception can set themselves back ten fold. If we leave them empty handed they often deceive themselves into thinking they can't overcome their confusion. If we provide them the heart, spade, club, diamond to slide up their sleeve or in their pocket, they will be able to feel content in the idea they have a magic ticket that can be used at any time. These strategies are not secrets, they are not only used in one subject area, or in one area of learning, they are universal and should be implemented whenever needed.
First and foremost, reflection. Students need to write reflections. They need to create questions they can use to help drive them to their goals. "What misconception may be guiding me down the wrong path." "Why do I believe this to be true?" "What is the best way for me personally to learn this content: draw, write, speak?" If they truly look inward and identify their weaknesses, and are okay with them, then they can seek the strategies to help themselves overpower them and succeed. Highlighting text, sketchnotes, listening to a recorded lecture, writing about the content in a more personal way, like a letter to themselves, are great ways to help them solidify their learning. Let students be free to take notes and reflect in any way that works best for them even if it is a different way then you are used to.
Words can deny it, actions can redefine it, together they can alter and clarify it. By teaching students the skill of debate, listening, deciphering fact from opinion, research skills, speech and questioning we are giving them the foundation to excel at learning. By every day showing them a blank slate, giving them time to reflect, getting them to ask themselves the right questions, we empower them to be self-learners. No one will pull the wool over their eyes. When they hit the wall or a new concept is shadowing them, these strategies will spark clarity. "I know I am confused, I know I am frustrated, how can I find the clarity I am looking for?" Teach them to be self-sufficient, determined, have a growth mindset and nothing will back them into a corner. Note-taking, pod-casting for themselves, writing a daily journal helps them recognize and anticipate the error codes, the setbacks, the impediments before they happen.
Belief is more powerful than truth. When bombarded with fact, presented with research and sometimes even when the truth is in front of our eyes, belief is what drives us. Teachers need to help students find the tools they need to lead them to the truth. So that they can decipher any text, identify falsities, understand the opinions of others and listen to all sides before making a decision. These aces need to be personal. We can't design them, students need to. Present them with the skills, they will tweak them and personalize them and these will become their deck. These cards can be shuffled, stacked, even used to create a house of cards they use to stand upon to see the big picture. But if they are theirs alone to create, to utilize and pull from their sleeves when needed, they will become apart of who they are and become their foundation of learning.
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