Preparation

ABC List Method

ABC lists are a simple tool to gather keywords about a certain topic. The method is suitable for individual learning or for group sessions for a variety of purposes:

• Entering a new topic: Everybody gathers keywords and compare them afterward in the group to fill up gaps or add further keywords.
• Initiating and tracking the learning process: Gather keywords to see how much you already know about a certain topic and repeat the exercise regularly to see your development over time.
• Memorizing topics: Use the method to deepen knowledge about a certain topic. Keep ABC lists and use them later refresh the topic.  
• Filling gaps in a topic: If after a first round of gathering words there are still empty letters, try to fill them up either with other group members or by researching the topic, e.g. in a book. 

More fun and easy methods that are especially suitable for children can be found in the book "Trotzdem lernen" by Vera F. Birkenbihl. 

Decoding and Memorizing Complex Texts

This method helps learners to easier understand and memorize texts. Long texts are split up into smaller sections. The learner reads each section and tries to memorize the text. You can also use this method as a preparation for a discussion about a complex topic.

The method is suitable for individual learning or for pair learning.

With the text perform the following steps:

• Distribute the text in short sections (one or several paragraphs)
• Read the first section.
• Cover the text and summarize the content of the section in your own words.
• Uncover the text and check the section again to see if you missed something.
• Continue in the same way with the second section but at the end repeat content of section 1 and 2.
• Continue until you are done with all sections.
• If you have learning aims for the text or questions from a test, see if you can answer them. If you don't have any of these make up your own questions for a test. 
• You can also write short summaries for each section that can help refreshing the knowledge to prepare for an exam later. 

How to work with the texts

You can either read and edit the texts online:

You can also work with a printed version of the text. Allow some margin next to the text so that participants can take notes:

Text samples

Choose texts that have a challenging content. Either texts that use a complex language or texts about a complex topic. You can also use texts from a domain that is not familiar to the participants but might in other ways relevant. Here are some examples either about ecological topics or local politics.  

English

• The Observer view on Jair Bolsonaro and the Amazon wildfires: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/aug/25/observer-view-on-the-amazon-fires

• The Guardian view on the mass death of insects: this threatens us all: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/feb/11/the-guardian-view-on-the-mass-death-of-insects-this-threatens-us-all

German

• Unterrichtsmaterial Antibiotika Der Wettlauf mit den Keimen: https://www.vci.de/fonds/downloads-fonds/unterrichtsmaterialien/2017-09-unterrichtsmaterial-antibiotika-textheft.pdf
• The future we want Unterrichtsmaterialien zum Thema zukunftsfähiger Konsum. Text zum Thema Palmöl ab Seite 21 https://www.regenwald-schuetzen.org/fileadmin/user_upload/pdf/Projekt/Future/the-future-we-want-heft-2020-klein.pdf

Spanish

• De las aulas a las calles: https://www.eldiario.es/opinion/tribuna-abierta/aulas-calles_129_1351894.html

• OPINIÓ Escòcia cap a la independència: https://www.elnacional.cat/ca/opinio/xoan-anton-perez-lema-escocia-cap-independencia_608627_102.html

Method / Process description

The lesson combines practical exercises with group discussions and inputs. 

• Input: Give a short introduction and explain the term "knowledge explosion" and how learning works (Module 6 > 6.1. Introducing Children to Digital Skills > Learning > How the Knowledge Explosion Changes Learning in School and at Work & How does learning work).
• Exercise: Use the ABC list method to create a list about the topic "Learning". When everybody is finished compare the results in the group. When collecting the words, exchange with the group about the topics:
  • What positive or negative aspects does learning have?
  • What makes learning for participants easy?
  • What is difficult to learn?
  • Do the have fun learning?
  • What are they currently learning?
• Input: Explain how kids can use ABC lists:
  • To track the process of learning about a certain topic (keep the old lists and compare them with new ones)
  • To gather content for preparing for a test.
  • To gather content for a presentation or a paper
• Exercise: Introduce the method "Decoding and memorizing complex texts". Let participants work on the exercise individually or in pairs. In a pair setting participants can switch summarizing the section every second section and exchange about the content. 
• Reflection: 
  • Let participants research a topic at home that is new to them and complex but could be relevant for their professional or private life (e.g. crypto currencies, hydrogen fuel for cars, how to detect if you have a virus on your computer,...). Let participants analyze and report which form of explanation suits them best, e.g. article in a paper, explanation video, podcast, diagram, personal explanation from another person,...
  • Ask participants to register at Khan academy https://www.khanacademy.org and take one lesson their are interested in or that they need for their professional life. Let them reflect which training material worked well and what their experience was working on the topic.

References

• YouTube Channel Akademie für Lerncoaching (DE) https://www.youtube.com/user/mitkindernlernen/videos, especially "Lernen lernen: Lernstrategien, Planen, Motivation"  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74IRzFyiUgI 
• Ted Talks: https://www.ted.com/talks
  • Playlist "The love of lifelong learning" https://www.ted.com/playlists/300/the_love_of_lifelong_learning
  • Ken Robinson: 10 talks on education https://www.ted.com/playlists/124/ken_robinson_10_talks_on_educ
  • Sugata Mitra: Sugata Mitra's neue Experimente auf dem Gebiet des selbstgesteuerten Lernens https://www.ted.com/talks/sugata_mitra_the_child_driven_education?language=de