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Kids Can Learn to Love Learning, Even Over Zoom

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Kids Can Learn to Love Learning, Even Over Zoom

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If gaps in knowledge are the seeds of curiosity, exploration is the sunlight. Hundreds of studies with thousands of students have shown that when science, technology and math courses include active learning, students are less likely to fail and more likely to excel. A key feature of active learning is interaction. But too many online classes have students listening to one-way monologues instead of having two-way dialogues. Too many students are sitting in front of a screen when they could be exploring out in the world.

Leaving a desk isn't just fun; it can promote a lasting desire to learn. In one experiment, researchers randomly assigned thousands of students to take a museum field trip. Three weeks later, when the students wrote essays analyzing pieces of art, those who had visited the museum scored higher in critical thinking than those who did not make the trip. The museum-goers made richer observations and more creative associations. They were also more curious about views that differed from their own. And the benefits were even more pronounced for students from rural areas and high-poverty schools.

When field trips aren't possible, teachers can still take students on virtual tours and send them off to do hands-on learning projects. In the past few months, our kids have been lucky to learn from social studies teachers who challenged them to survey people about their stereotypes of the elderly, computer science teachers who invited them to design their own amusement parks, and drama teachers who had them film their own documentaries.

Meaning is the final piece of the motivation puzzle. Not every lesson will be riveting; not every class discussion will be electrifying. However, when students see the real-world consequences of what they are studying, they're more likely to stay engaged.

Psychologists find that when college students have a purpose for learning beyond the self, they spend more time on tedious math problems and less time playing video games and watching viral videos. And high schoolers get better grades in STEM courses after being randomly assigned to reflect on how the material would help them help others. That's a question every teacher can ask and answer, even over Zoom: Why does this content matter? When the answer to this question is clear, students are less likely to doze through class with one eye open.

Or, in the case of dolphins, with one side of their brains open. They can put one hemisphere of their brains to sleep and leave the other alert. That's how they stay active for two weeks straight.

The purpose of school is not just to impart knowledge; it's to instill a love of learning. In online schools and hybrid classrooms, that love doesn't have to be lost.

One good thing about virtual school is that children are building skills that will serve them well throughout their lives. Although learning how to mute and unmute himself is not something we ever thought our kindergartner would need to know, it's one of many new skills from online classes that will continue to come in handy. And for those adults who are still having trouble with that particular skill (you know who you are), he's available for online instruction.

Adam Grant is an organizational psychologist at Wharton and contributing opinion writer. Allison Sweet Grant is a psychiatric nurse practitioner and writer. They are married and co-authors of the new children's book " Leif and the Fall."
The Times is committed to publishing a diversity of letters to the editor. We'd like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. Here are some . And here's our email: letters@nytimes.com.

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Opinion | Kids Can Learn to Love Learning, Even Over Zoom

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If gaps in knowledge are the seeds of curiosity, exploration is the sunlight. Hundreds of studies with thousands of students have shown that when science, technology and math courses include active learning, students are less likely to fail and more likely to excel. A key feature of active learning is interaction.

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Tasks specifically made for lockdown.

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https://coggle.it/

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Flip is a video discussion and sharing app, free from Microsoft.

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Flip (formerly Flipgrid) is a video discussion and video sharing app, free from Microsoft, built for classrooms and beyond. Learn more.

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Variety of instructional tool
Personal feedback
Kindness / compassion
Clarity and routine

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Think about what other non traditional resources
Be positive

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Creativity
Differentiation
Adaptability
Individuals being encouraged to have some authority over thier learning

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Smaller group encourage engagement
effective teaching supports autonomy
really provides safe space to connect through the screen

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Creativity in designing learning experiences, drawing on what students can do and access

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Creativity in designing learning experiences, drawing on what students can do and access

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Differentiation is very challenging and also require creativity

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Students take more responsibility for learning

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Students take more responsibility for learning

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Deeper understanding when they trouble shoot
using initiative

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time for independent work away from the laptop
opportunity to share and celebrate

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Be welcoming and positive - it's easy to get down hearted
Organise connection in different groups
Give clear structure

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Practising what we preach - crewating, adapting and being inspired by the world (in its current state)

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Practising what we preach - crewating, adapting and being inspired by the world (in its current state)

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Collaboration is key
Making Human connections
Reminding and reflecting about what makes Arts subject group based
Using the time to be inspired by the structure

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The importance of collaboration, connecting, group work

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The importance of collaboration, connecting, group work

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Making it a social experience

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Students have potential to get deeper understanding from self guided learning

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Students have potential to get deeper understanding from self guided learning

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Tech support is poetential issue especially for younger students
mitigate expectations
Not everyone is tech savvy