Do We Really Need to Sit So Long to Learn?
“That was so boring. You don't learn anything. You just sit there listening to a teacher talking at you with a powerpoint. You have to sit there on mute. This is nothing like normal school - I can't do this for another day."
The words of a Year 7 student at the end of his third 1 hour lesson of the morning.
During their TEDx Talk - with a nod towards Sir Ken Robinson, Dr Andy Daly-Smith and Bryn Llewellyn, they ask the questions:
- Why do we sit to learn?
- Is sitting the optimal way to learn?
Sitting in India
Lockdowns affect us all, no matter where in the world we live. Recently, we were asked to lead webinars with students from Kalvi International Schools. A bizarre but wonderful opportunity, brought about by introductions by global, not-for profit, HundrED. We talked about the wonders of technology and the way it can unite us so we can share experiences. During the sessions, we asked the students to consider ways to break up sedentary time. The list of potential solutions was impressive. Here are just a few:- Stand up on the hour - every hour - and dance.
- When the long hand of the clock hits 3 and 9 stand up and 12 star jumps.
- Don't leave your water bottle or glass on your desk. Put it in another part of the room so you have to stand up and move to get a drink.
- If you have a mobile phone, leave it in a room. If it rings or you need to check for messages, you have to stand up and move to do so.
- If you have stairs, run up them, instead of walking up them.
- Do X 'burpies' before you have a snack.
