I was teaching my Year 8 English class recently, and I had one of those perspective moments; you know, when you look around yourself and suddenly it’s like you are seeing everything through fresh eyes. Anyway, that’s what happened; we were in a computer room, and I had kids working on laptops, other kids sitting in front of the floor watching the projector screen and even a few standing outside the classroom furiously arguing with each other.

Ten years ago, I would have been horrified if I had stumbled onto a room that was as ‘messy’ as that. I would have been looking for students sitting in silence, studiously copying from textbooks while the teacher lectured. Okay, maybe I was never as blinkered at that, but I think I would have been concerned by what I saw.

Anyway, I had this perspective moment, and it kind of filtered out all the garbage about classroom behaviour and learning outcomes and other stuff, and allowed me to focus on the actual learning taking place. And that’s the point: despite the ‘messy’ classroom, there was no doubt that there was learning taking place – for every student in the classroom. Let’s think about what I mean by learning: firstly, there is a requirement for every student to be engaged. Secondly, there is a need for students to be challenged – at whatever level they are currently not working at. Finally, there is also the call for reflection. I honestly believe that reflection is a crucial part of the learning process, and it is something that I actively encourage students to take part in.

Those students working on a computer were actually putting the finishing touches on a task requiring them to analyse what Australian and Japanese school aged children might be proud of; it was a challenging task for these high achievers, requiring a level of logical thought that is right at the top end of Bloom’s taxonomy. Meanwhile middle achievers in my class were engaged (and I use that word deliberately) in watching ‘An Inconvenient Truth’ which fits really nicely with our area of study.

But more than passively watching the video, the students were actively involved in critiquing Gore’s point of view; in fact they were analysing how they structured his argument – defining each new piece of information as an example, or a thesis, or evidence. It was great. Sure, they might have been sitting on the floor, or not writing in their books, but they were learning – and enjoying it too.

And the two outside? Well, they were in the heat of a discussion about the reality of climate change, and the causes of it.

Messy classrooms: the way of the future?

I was reading somewhere – not sure where – about the actual etymology of the word education. Rather than meaning ‘to teach’ or ‘to learn’ it actually means ‘to lead’ or ‘to lead out.’ I think it’s from the Latin, originally. It’s an interesting thought, though, isn’t it? Rather than meaning to absorb or dispense knowledge, or to sit there passively storing it up until you are ready to regurgitate it on some examination.

Instead, it’s much more active – more like a ‘guide’ or even a mentor, isn’t it? Even more importantly, there is no suggestion of being the repository of all knowledge; rather, there is the idea that we are all in this together. Just a few thoughts. What do you think?

Okay, earlier in the year I posted some thoughts about the role of gaming in education. I haven’t had the time I’d like to devote to this idea, but I thought that I’d share some of my favourite educational games that I’ve used to both engage and improve student learning. A lot of them are pretty old, but still good. You’ll notice I lean  a long way towards business studies and history/ geography, but hey, that’s what I teach. Also can’t get past Sid Meier for quality gaming. When you’re onto a good thing, stick to it. I’d also like people to share their favourite games for learning, too:

1. SimCity – Impossible to beat, especially for business studies/ economics/ science/ social studies/ geography teachers. Fantastic resource – and kids love it. One of the best things about it is that it is free now! You just need to register a Maxis account. Here’s a link

2. Civilisation – Doesn’t matter which one you play (I think they’re about to release Civ 5), they are all works of art. Fantastic as they involve real people from history, and you can even play on a real world map.

3. Total War: Rome, Medieval, Empire… – Bloodthirsty, I know, but still valuable tools for the up and coming entrepreneur.

4. Railroad Tycoon: It’s an oldie, but still fantastic. Free, too! Here’s a link

5. The Sims: I’ve seen schools use Sims fantastically well, especially when talking about personal development and physical, social and moral education.

6. The Movies: Another great one for business studies – you organise your own movie studio. Good fun.

7. Zoo Tycoon: Like all the other tycoon games, but this time with cute animals. Learn how to use the cheats, too. It’s great having a triceratops herd in your zoo!