OT tricking into liking to learn was new start

--- In spacesettlers@yahoogroups.com, Ryan Z wrote:
> warning: extremely off-topic
>
> --- Brett Sargeant wrote:
> >
> > Sorry for going off topic, but I am curious, how do
> > you go about
> > tricking them into liking to learn ?
> >
> The key is to relate learning into their daily lives.
>

> One other thing I've noticed is that alot of kids link
> computer use as a reward.

>
> Also nice to have are kid-geared magazines.

>
> Lastly, most importantly is linking time spent doing
> homework to having fun.

>
> Now there is alot more than this, but you get the
> message. And one last thing, I also sprinkle space
> topics in whenever I can :)
>
> If your interested in things like this, I highly
> recommend you volunteer, every place i've been too is
> always desperately in need of more volunteers. Check
> out places like www.volunteermatch.org for
> opportunites near you.
>
> Ryan

I liked all of the touchstones you raised to make learning relevant
to kids. Good work. I think that helping kids develop their minds is
the biggest gift you can give them.

Some of you may know that I'm a big advocate of the Socratic Method.
I volunteered about 15 years ago and used the method to reach the
kids. I'd like to ask anyone who is reading this message to please
spend about 10 minutes reading through this link where the author
teaches a group of 3rd graders binary aritmetic and lays the
foundation for the kids to go on develop trinary math, pentary math,
etc. He does it all by asking the kids questions and has fun with
them. The pleasure the kids have in discovering the truths for
themselves should be evident to the reader.

If you can, please find an opportunity to try this method for
yourself. Rehearse yourself for this takes more thought and
preparation on your part. Remember it's always easier to tell
something than to guide someone to the knowledge. This is why you
hardly see this pedogogy in schools. Your reward: the kids will
understand the point and you'll know the instant that they don't
because the dialogue will stop.

http://www.garlikov.com/Soc_Meth.html

TangoMan