Description
In a nutshell, this learning strategy involves learning by talking about what we are studying and listening to the input of others.
Talking
Observers have long noted that we really discover what we know and what we are thinking only when we turn our ideas into words–talking about our ideas with someone. Other observers have also long noted that the best way to learn something is to teach it to someone else. It’s this process of verbalization, of articulation of your knowledge and understanding that lies at the heart of the first part of the Conversation learning strategy.
In fact, it has been said that we don’t really know what we know or what we think until we express our thoughts aloud. It’s even been the experience of many that simply talking–even to yourself (aloud) or to an inanimate object helps to clarify and cement your thinking. And while you might not want to practice this “talk to a rock” strategy in the public arena, you should feel free to do it in your own room or house.
Listening
In the process of sharing what is being learned, listening to feedback and response, and answering questions and challenges make up the second part of this strategy.
Method
Talking to others about your learning can be accomplished through a one-on-one meeting (students paired up), small groups (three or four students in a group), or in presentation format (a prepared talk to the entire class or onine community, for example).
Here are some techniques to use when you are in class or in an online leaning group:
- Summarize the content. The audience can then (1) repeat back to the presenter what they understand has been presented, (2) perform their own summary of the content, and (3) compare the summaries to determine how much agreement or difference there is and then (4) work as a group to produce a complete and accurate summary of the content.
- Paraphrase the important content. Follow the steps for summarizing above. Once again, the audience can compare notes and seek clarification.
- Ask Questions. During the presentation, the presenter can ask questions for the audience to think about during the talk. Remember that framing questions creates a curiosity itch in the hearer’s mind, so that the arrival of an answer is highly anticipated. This interest helps with the formation of memory. Curiosity = Better, Longer Memory. After the presentation, having several group or class members answer the same question can prove especially enlightening for the entire group.
- Answer Questions. The presenter can respond to questions about the presentation. Question and answer engagements are an excellent way to clarify facts, theories, and opinions. The quesitons and answers can be written down and turned into a FAQ for study purposes. With the entire group participation, the FAQ can be assembled quickly.
Another way to use the Conversation strategy is to talk to people outside of class, such as a friend or relative. Explaining a theory or presenting knowledge to someone who knows nothing about it makes for an ideal challenge. And, of course, the more you have to explain, the better your memory and understanding will become.
Follow the EAR steps:
- Explain. To produce a clear explanation of your learning, you’ll need to make the ideas simple and as concrete as possible while still being clear and accurate. Explaining ideas in simpler terms improves your own understanding.
- Answer. When you explain concepts to your unknowling listener, you’ll get many questions, and they will help you understand what a person with no context to build on needs to know or understand. These insights will help you organize your own mental framework
- Reflect. Ask questions of your audience (1) to see how well they can tell you what you have just said and (2) to determine how well your materials are.
Make yourself a great study aid that can redeem the time in your car when you are stuck in traffic.
- Record an interactive conversation with a fellow student, in which each of you presents the material to be studied, shifting back and forth from one to the other in the style of TV network broadcast news. Use details and be accurate.
- Save the interaction and load in onto your computer, smart phone, Andoid, or epub reader.
- Listen to the recording when you are in your car, on a hike, on the treadmill at the gym, or just walking around.