Setting the Tone and Activating Prior Learning

The first step in moving from telling to teaching is to set the tone at the beginning of the session. "What your learners see, hear and feel when they arrive sets the tone for the rest of the session." If you want people to be receptive to participating, then they need to feel safe. It is your responsibility to help them feel safe in this environment.

Activating prior learning presents the concept that we learn best when we connect new information to what we already know.
Activating prior learning can happen in many ways. Simple open ended questions can start the process. Be sure you ask open ended questions with no right or wrong answer. You could even start the class by asking students what they dislike about being called upon for an answer. The answer usually is:" I won't know the right answer to the question." Explain to them that you ask questions, you are not looking for a right or wrong answer.

The KWL format for activating prior learning; The instructor puts up a 3 column chart, with the following columns Know, (K); Want to learn, (W); Learned, (L). Ask your learners to jot on post its what they know, and what they want to learn and post their notes to the columns. They return to the (L) later to name what they learned

The author also explains the importance of warm up activities relating to the learning. Learners remember the most at the beginning and the end of the session. Thus for warm ups to be effective they should be linked to some degree to the topic that the learners are going to be studying. This type of warm up takes into account the principle of activating prior learning.

Do you have any suggestions that you use for activating prior learning?

Introduction to From Telling to Teaching and 1st Recipe

From Telling to Teaching By Joyce A Norris

My book arrived yesterday from Amazon and I am halfway through and excited to begin sharing what I have read with you.

Dr. Norris wants to move the instructor from just telling information to the learners to teaching by using a dialogue approach to adult learning. When we teach by telling students what they need to know we are ignoring the way adults learn best. Learners learn best by getting engaged with the new information, by talking about it and using the information.
A dialogue approach incorporates how adults learn best by combining the delivery of new information, with opportunities for the learners to do something with the information. Making personal meaning of new information is a central element of learning. Her book and my blog will take you through this journey.

The recipe I have chosen for our first blog is a perfect summer salad. Simple to make, delicious to taste.
Asparagus and Edamame Salad
1# Asparagus - blanched and shocked
1 1/2 cup shelled edamame cooked according to package directions
1/4 - 1/2 cup chopped mint
1-2 Tablespoons olive oil
2 Tablespoons lemon juice
salt and pepper to taste
2 Tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese

1. Blanch and shock asparagus and cut into 2 in. pieces
2. Combine Asparagus, edamame chopped mint, lemon juice, olive oil and salt and pepper to taste.
3. Top with shredded Parmesan cheese