Comments on: Modern Tools for Magical Education Results!

By: Brennan

Brennan — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 21:13:52 +0000

Dear Mark & Evelyn,

I so glad you had an opportunity to see Tim Ryans in action. Wasn’t it exciting to see the children performing at peak levels – and enjoying it so much?

@ Evelyn – I so agree that creativity in teaching is much more meaningful and long-lasting than just learning by rote (with the exception of addition, subtraction and multiplication tables, which every child should learn backwards and forwards, before they can develop a fear of math).

@Mark – Yes, learning should be interesting and fun. We see little ones fascinated by the world and the new things they learn through play before they start school. It now only takes 3 or 4 years in school to drum the love of learning out of them. Sad!

I’m glad you got to see this master at work!
Brennan

By: Mark McCullagh

Mark McCullagh — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 14:07:12 +0000

I think that engaging children in a medium that captures their attention and is conducive to learning is fantastic.

Shouldn’t learning be interesting and fun?

By: Evelyn

Evelyn — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 07:19:40 +0000

I definitely agree with the use of creativity to teach the kids. Kids learn much better rather than through rote learning alone.

Thanks for sharing,
Evelyn

By: Brennan

Brennan — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 21:56:51 +0000

Yes, Darlene,

Today teachers have to follow curriculums that are set FOR them by people who haven’t been in a classroom in years. Or they have to concentrate on teaching what will be taught on federal tests.

Either way, teachers aren’t allowed to use their creativity and neither are the students. Don used to get in lots of trouble for teaching what he knew worked instead of “teaching to the test”. His students excelled, instead of the “lose/lose” situation we see in so many schools.

Doesn’t Tim Ryland’s enthusiasm, and the enthusiasm of his students just delight you?

Thanks for your comment!

Brennan

By: Darlene Norris

Darlene Norris — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 19:55:50 +0000

I remember years ago when my daughter was in 8th grade (she’s 31 now). Her math teacher was appalled that nobody understood the formula for finding the circumference of a circle. He took the kids out on the playground where they drew a circle with chalk. They measured the radius, and then multiplied it by pi to find out what the circumference should be. Then they measured the circumference, and found out that the formula worked! She’s never forgotten that lesson.

Kids are so used to computer games now. I’m glad to see a teacher who is using them to teach writing. Great idea!