Who among us does not wish to be surprised and happy with it, so that its results are preserved in the long-term memory?! This is what we seek to achieve with the learner by breaking with him from the ordinary, which generates creativity and innovation.
Teaching by surprise is a term I applied to an educational practice that serves the learner and the teacher together. I constantly implement it with my students, attracting them and increasing their desire to learn mathematics. Surprisingly, education links different education strategies, multiple teaching methods, and traditional and electronic education. It is implemented in an integrated manner in an integrated study session, with prior preparation from the teacher, to achieve the element of surprise that generates in the learner the desire and self-motivation to gain knowledge. It enhances levels of creativity and innovation.
Practically, I carry out the lesson as planned and then put the students in a surprise situation by asking them to complete their homework in the school garden, for example. Or I suddenly ask them to carry out the class in the library to learn about information about the discoverer of the absolute value, or who is the scientist Pythagoras? Or what are the conjunctions? Or ask them, in the pairing class, to carry out the activity by bringing the phone (which is prohibited in the school) and using the barcode. The surprise factor has always enhanced the students’ desire to learn and have fun, opening the door to initiative and innovation for them.
Learning by surprise can be applied in all subjects without exception, with the aim of achieving the learner’s educational well-being, satisfying his desires to use what is appropriate for this age, and securing modern trends for the education process through diversity in the presentation of educational material, and the enjoyment of education outside the classroom in public libraries, or Field visits and so on.
The Role of the Teacher in Education by Surprise
- At the end of the regular class, the learner may be asked to do a “check my understanding” performance or questions, outside the classroom, in the schoolyard for example.
- After completing the study unit, the learner may be asked to sign the unit’s mental map, which is the exit card, in a manner consistent with modern learning trends. The learner signs for each lesson whose requirements are completed, and at the end of the unit, the map is complete and signed by the learner.
- If the lesson includes a program or a video presentation, surprise the learners by accompanying them to the computer room, and sharing the information with them using “electronic” education.
- Informing the learners of the need to bring the phone in preparation for the next class, without justifying the reason for this request in order to achieve the element of surprise. In the class, the learner is trained on how to use the barcode reader to extract educational videos or access links.
Through the previous aspects, we clarify the benefit of education by surprise, including:
- Connecting the learner to the information in a way that takes into account his desires and ideas.
- Developing creativity and innovation, by departing from the usual in the delivery of information.
- The educational well-being of the learner through the application of what achieves his happiness, such as education outside the classroom, or what deviates from the ordinary inside the classroom. Or through a field visit to deliver information, such as visiting a library, educational center, university, or museum…
- Discovering the learner’s strengths and weaknesses, by dealing with and interacting with the element of surprise.
The role of the school in education is surprising
- The school provides the appropriate environment for applying this approach in education through:
- Providing the necessary tools to apply the study material, in ways that deviate from the usual.
- Providing support to the teacher in using modern strategies and methods in teaching.
- The use of pedagogy in modern trends in teaching.
- Achieving creativity and innovation through modern methods that achieve the educational well-being of the teacher and the learner.
- Supporting this educational approach by mentioning the learner on the school radio, symbolic gifts, and certificates of thanks… and for the teacher as well, through books of thanks and certificates of appreciation.
- Linking education to surprise with parents by agreeing to their participation in educational activities that achieve the element of surprise for the learner, such as: attending a class, giving a workshop on a topic related to the educational subject, honoring parents, participating in explaining a class…
The Role of the Learner in Education by Surprise
- Respect the system and abide by the general rules
- Duties and time commitment
- Attempting to access the information himself
- Participate in discussions and reflections with colleagues
- Understanding and solving problems, and targeting higher levels of thinking for creativity and innovation
Georgina Al-Rowad / teacher – Jordan
