Smart ways to help students gain confi dence in learning
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Building the confi dence to try, experiment, and
keep going even when things get hard is a critical
part of the educational process. Confi dence
comes more naturally to some students than others,
yet new research shows that confi dence levels today
impact learning outcomes for students.
Three-quarters of teachers say anxiety and lack
of confi dence hinder learning among their students,
according to the Confi dence in Learning Poll conducted
by Harris Insights and Analytics on behalf of
LEGO Education. Two-thirds of parents agree their
children are not more confi dent than their peers or
themselves at that age.
This is impacting students’ education in many
ways, particularly in the important Steam subjects
(science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics).
The poll found fewer than one in fi ve students is
“very confi dent” when it comes to learning Steam,
while only one in three teachers says their students
are more confi dent in these subjects compared to fi ve
years ago.
As we think about preparing students for the future
workforce, 65 percent of children entering primary
school today will ultimately end up working in
new jobs that don’t yet exist, according to the World
Economic Forum. This makes confi dence in Steam
especially important as we prepare kids for unknown
needs.
Consider the middle-school years as an important
time to grow and maintain confi dence levels among
students. A time of tremendous physical change, kids
are also dealing with new academic and social pressures,
too. The good news is both parents and educators
can take basic steps to help boost confi dence in
learning to help middle-school kids at home and at
school.
With confi dence such a key component of learning
success, how can parents and educators keep levels
high so that students not only succeed at learning,
but also fi nd joy in it? The key is hands-on learning.
A whopping 97 percent of teachers in the U.S. say that
hands-on learning builds confi dence among their
students, though that doesn’t have to be limited to
the classroom. Here are simple ways to help middleschoolers
gain confi dence in themselves and their education:
Hands-on learning at home
Adults who incorporate hands-on learning can
make a big impact, with 87 percent of students reporting
that when they learn via hands-on projects, they
tend to remember the topics for longer. At home, invite
kids into the kitchen to cook together, talking
about measurements and reactions of cooking ingredients
before enjoying a meal as a family. Another
idea: Have them help out as you use tools to work on
your car, discussing the problem, brainstorming the
potential solutions, and fi xing it together.
Hands-on learning at school
When projects come to life, kids can learn through
collaboration and exploration, which can help improve
processing and retention. The new LEGO Education
SPIKE Prime, bringing together familiar
LEGO bricks with digital programming, lets students
learn essential 21st-century skills through a
hands-on approach. The kit includes guides for 32 different
creations, though the possibilities are limitless.
“We believe deeply in the value of hands-on learning
experiences to build curiosity and confi dence, spur
development, bring more joy to learning and spark
imagination - and that’s exactly what SPIKE Prime
offers,” said Esben Stark Jørgensen, president of
LEGO Education.
Ask questions through open
discussions
Having open, engaging and nonjudgmental conversations
with middle-school kids is important to
breaking down barriers. Let them lead the conversation,
but if it stalls out, take the lead by asking questions
about how they think and feel. Remember, no
answer or thought is a bad one. It’s also important,
as an adult, to show vulnerability. If you can show
you’re OK being comfortable with success or failure,
it helps them gain confi dence that it’s OK to feel that
way, too.
EDUCATION
The new LEGO Education SPIKE Prime, bringing together familiar
LEGO bricks with digital programming.
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