The Teenage Learner The Adult Learner by Cathy Abraham Credit to: PA Pathways training manual

ICEBREAKER

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Ask Me!

Today’s Agenda Who is the teenage learner? The 12 Dos (Anderson article) Lesson Ideas that work! It’s your turn!

COW Speech Notes - Slide 5

A Vision of Students Today

Who is the teenage learner?

What words describe the teenaged learner?

Words which describe Teens

A thoughtful pause "Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young." - Henry Ford Ever know anyone that has quit learning and growing? Ever know someone “older” that embraces learning new things? Activity: If presenting this as a training, in small groups, have participants make a list of specific things that people think are important to adult learners.

A thoughtful pause "The art of teaching is the art of assisting discovery." - Mark Van Doren Ask/Think about: “What is learning?”; “What is the learning process?”; “What is the difference between teaching and learning?”

What Teens Need to Know Prior to Learning: Why are we doing this? How can it help me? How can I make it MINE? How/What/Why Think about it from your own perspective…. Isn’t this what you want to know going into a learning situation?

Key Assumptions Teenagers seek meaning and significance. Personalize! Seeing value in what they are learning is critical…. I.e. “buy in”. Basically, adults want and need to be treated as adults. Similarities in learning in children and adults? Personalize!

Key Assumptions 2. Teenagers want to know about the NOW! Update! Seeing value in what they are learning is critical…. I.e. “buy in”. Basically, adults want and need to be treated as adults. Similarities in learning in children and adults? Update!

Key Assumptions 3. Teenagers crave authenticity and the “true”. Seeing value in what they are learning is critical…. I.e. “buy in”. Basically, adults want and need to be treated as adults. Similarities in learning in children and adults? Be who you are and share it!

Key Assumptions 4. Teenagers are the ultimate egotists. ME! Seeing value in what they are learning is critical…. I.e. “buy in”. Basically, adults want and need to be treated as adults. Similarities in learning in children and adults? Get creative!

Key Assumptions what others are thinking about them! Group 'em! 5. Teenagers are wondering what others are thinking about them! Seeing value in what they are learning is critical…. I.e. “buy in”. Basically, adults want and need to be treated as adults. Similarities in learning in children and adults? Group 'em!

The Digital Divide

A Dozen Dos Use Music! Teens live through the feelings provoked by music. It is a window to their learning soul.

Music in your classroom MixTube

A Dozen Dos Use Current Material! Teens want to be hip. They love anything new and personally relevant. Breakingnewsenglish

Pictures, Visuals, Vocabulary

A Dozen Dos Use Team Work! Teens are “hard wired” for relationships. They thrive on projects, peer interaction and group work.

A Dozen Dos Use Acting! Teens want to express themselves. Role playing allows them to express all their inner, conflicting feelings in a safe manner. Example.

A Dozen Dos Use Choice! A or B Teens are trying to be independent. Giving them some choice and control motivates them. – Extensive Reading

A Dozen Dos Use what they know! Teens know LOTS and have diverse experiences. Use their interests and passions in the class content! Grammar Poems

A Dozen Dos Use a quick pace! Teens actually have shorter attention spans than kids! Keep changing things up!

A Dozen Dos Use Activity! Use Creativity Teens minds and body’s are changing and they need to experience and practice their new “physical” self!

A Dozen Dos Use Proactive Class Control! Teens want a teacher in control but will reject any authority. Use positive behavior management!

A Dozen Dos Use L1 at times! Teens will respond to L1 discipline and are mature enough to “switch gears” and it can help misunderstanding.

A Dozen Dos Use Games! Teens are highly competitive in the sense they want to show off. Let them show off! -- BAAM / Not like the other things

A Dozen Dos Use their “desire”! Teens want to express themselves. Projects, presentations, posters … can allow them to personalize the learning.

A Thoughtful Pause “Show me and I forget; Teach me and I remember; Involve me and I learn.” - B. Franklin Thoughts on this quote? Is it true, based on your experiences? How does it relate to the information presented? CAbraham/2005

Your Turn – Lesson Recipe Mr. Morton

Teachers? Who needs them? HOLE IN THE WALL PROJECT

Video in the Classroom Silent Videos – Mr. Bean Wallace and Grommit Nat. Film Board of Canada Shorts

Can you be a 21st century teacher?

THE END THE END

Discuss: Lesson Ideas. Video Song Activity Story Role play Project Game

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