How to teach an old dog new tricks " The process of how to learn, unlearn, and relearn"

In the 21st century , we are the creators of our own destiny. There are growing opportunities for individuals now that we never had years before. a family can take something as simple as a video blog or Youtube channel and become a multimillionaire. A person can learn to change a tire, perform CPR, complete a videogame, just by access to Web and using Web 2.0 tools. My experience as a student both in highschool and college was foreshadowed with lecture and less student to student discourse but to learn to create the best lesson with some math manipulatives. The question always remains what does it mean to really "learn" something?

"Learning is considered to be, essentially, about moving the learner forward whether in terms of knowledge, skills, behaviour, understanding or initiating change. In order to achieve deep learning it is suggested that learners must engage in active unlearning." (Simpson, J. , 2017) This can be said for educators as well. It is very easy to continue the routine of how we teach and assume that that the results will be the same, however, we do not receive the same student every year so their experiences will be different. This is part of the process of the learn and unlearn process. My classes are different and unique with a diverse learning environment. Even through the coursework I have been participating in I had to learn to try new things. Using webtools such as blogs and Microblogging tools such as Twitter I have discovered is invaluable for the progression of learning and discussion. Learning is a process that does not necessarily need to take place in one class sitting. The diverse learning environment of my school and classroom taught me that I need to make my lessons more relevant to what students know as their reality. Curriculum , though important, should not be central focus of any particular classroom but to prepare students for the real world outside of the classroom.

    "Education has to be about identifying the skills, knowledge, and habits of mind that all of our students will need to be successful in their life beyond school. " ( Crockett , 2011 , pg 18). The benefits of the process is great as I am able to learn from my students and colleagues what is relevant. I am learning from my students what they like and get to structure my lessons and discussions around their likes.  The pandemic has created a void in student to student interpersonal relationships as this was part of the foundation of the high school experience.  Learning to unlearn how we are taught is both a benefit and a challenge.

      The challenges arise when students also do not want to change with the times. Students do not want to struggle with a problem. In mathematics , critical thinking skills is a must in determining math word problem success or explaining why certain things work or don't work. Teaching a mindset  or  teaching common sense is not a class but a skill within itself. In my classes now , I like to ask questions of the day based on news and what is relevant in my students lives. Students like to discuss their views of vaccinations and the status of their district pertaining to these things. They enjoy speaking about anime, Netflix movies, musical artists, food , prom, summer plans, etc. As an educator I try to make inferences and connections to relevancy and mathematics and make it a math connection and " reel " them back into the current objective. Students over the years are accustomed to the lecturer approach . Students get the information, the ask questions , work on classwork or homework and then get quizzed on it. Preparing students for college and career readiness they are unlearning this procedure as educators are bringing in digital elements of  Breakout rooms, padlet, Peardeck, and Nearpod lessons , where they are asked constantly their views which is different than what is accustomed. In addition, students are constantly learning to use new digital tools. They are learning to use Google Docs, Google Forms, Google Slides, and additional writing forms such as Kami,( pdf editor)  and Desmos. There has been alot of resistance to  new things because it is easier to write things down on paper and take a picture of it than to use digital tools  as this takes longer to complete. "Moving from a passive role to be the protagonists of their own learning requires a more significant workload and degree of commitment." (Murillo-Zamorano, L. R.,  , 2021)

References

 Crockett, L., Jukes, I., & Churches, A. (2011). Literacy is not enough: 21st-century fluencies for the digital age. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin. 

Murillo-Zamorano, L. R., López Sánchez, J. Á., Godoy-Caballero, A. L., & Bueno Muñoz, C. (2021). Gamification and active learning in higher education: is it possible to match digital society, academia and students’ interests? International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, 18(1), 1–27. https://doi-org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.1186/s41239-021-00249-y

Simpson, J. (2017). “Learning to Unlearn” the Charity Mentality within Schools. Policy & Practice: A Development Education Review, 25, 88–108.