Sometimes it is all about interaction, collaboration- students active and chatting. But, it can take awhile to get students to open up and actually engage with one another. Two days in to this term and I have to nudge and lure them into conversation. When they finally open up and start working together, it is a beautiful sight.
I have gotten accustomed to hands-on, group activities and think-pair-write-share moments. It makes the class lively and buzzful- I know buzzful isn't a word- but to me it describes it perfectly. The hum of wings flapping faster than the eye can see. The colorful bobble of flight. When students are in the collective- there is a lot of honey per se.
But, I have been calming my mind lately and letting the quiet unfold too. After a honeycomb of learning both students and myself just need some mute. They begin their frontloading, they open computers and delve into their bubbles. I think they like these bubbles as much as they appreciate the buzz. So I have been recognizing the need for it.
There are so many times where the shift is needed- the lag between flight. And I am embracing it. It is not the whole class period, but it is incremental unspeaking that is important. The downtime. I appreciate the noise, the bustle, the hive mind and I make sure that part of the class is honey making. But, I have neglected the noiseless as of late.
I sometimes feel noise means active learning. I forget that silence can mean active learning to, just mind active.
But I have come to realize that active learning does not need sound, vibrations or activity with others. What it needs is engagement and engagement can be loud and boisterous or voiceless and focused. A mixture of virtual and brick and mortar- solo and accompanied, that is what students need. It is all about listening and anticipating what they need. As of late, my students need a blending of both- alone time chat time.
A moment to embrace learning from others and a moment to go inside and contemplate. Me too I say.
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