We want to give you the keys to meaningful learning, yes, you read that right: meaningful learning. And it is that we do not all learn in the same way, neither children nor adults and it is important that we adapt our way of learning to our own capacities and qualities. Furthermore, not all subjects should be learned in the same way.
If you want to have more information about the different learning styles we recommend that you read this article. Today we will focus on meaningful learning.
What is meaningful learning?
Meaningful learning is defined as that which allows the boy or girl to build your own learning and endow it with meaning. This learning is maintained and is not forgotten. We can affirm that children relate directly to the content or to the previous knowledge they already have, to continue evolving. In this way, the learning content is filled with meaning and logic, and therefore with understanding.
Without wanting to be too theoretical, meaningful learning focuses on the way the brain structures, hierarchizes, processes, makes abstractions, generalizations, interrelates data, objects, facts and concepts to make sense of it and with them begin to build knowledge.
All this interrelation is not exempt from emotions. And although on many occasions, let's say that traditionally, they have wanted to keep separate, we know that emotion is a determining factor when undertaking and maintaining meaningful learning.
Educator's role in this type of learning
Although the boy or the girl builds their learning at their own pace and individually, they are the protagonists, the The role of the family, the school and the educators is fundamental. Whether it is a traditional or more alternative pedagogy, this is the same.
As this type of learning is born from previous experiences of the students it is essential that the teacher knows them, to be able to relate the new ideas. It must be the guide. It focuses more on the process of acquiring knowledge, rather than content. One strategy is to help you reason through questions. If the apprentice commits a error do not correct, or give him the solution, take advantage of it so that he himself reaches the right answer and motivates his achievements.
And of course the educator must be patient, because each person learns in a different way, at their own pace. In a traditional school, all this theory is about adaptation and there are professionals really involved in the matter, but other bureaucratic and social imperatives do not make it possible to incorporate this methodology 100%.
How to encourage meaningful learning
A single word is enough to promote meaningful learning: curiosity. You have to arouse interest. Human beings are naturally curious, and children are even more prone to this. Let's take advantage of it. One way to do this is through play and playful processes. Children learn best when they are having fun.
Your active participation, It is not just about them listening or watching, but also looking for information, preparing content, practicing… and in the end they will have learned.
With children, in the classroom it works very well use different presentation formats, let's not spend all day with the digital whiteboard, just because it is the latest technology. You also have to change the locations in the classroom, the rhythms of the voice, move the participants, use colors, music, stories, games, competitions, mind maps, construction of figures, etc.
You have to make the students see what is the use of what you are learning. We must connect the contents with the real and individual experience of the child, with their interests and needs. For this it is essential that they themselves, individually or in a group, take them to their land, that they look for possibilities. And of course there is a Return, by peers and educators of this learning.
With all these ideas we hope we have helped you to know what they call meaningful learning.