Edumacation: I am terrible at rote learning
How I wish history class had been conducted

Teacher: We are going to make a game.
Students: YAH!
Teacher: In this game, you are going to fight to save your friends, your family and your neighbors.
Students: YAH! ← I hope.
Teacher: You will need some information about your foe.
Students: Foe?
Teacher: Yes, your enemy. The person coming to do harm.
Student G: The bad guy?
Teacher: Yes, the bad guy.
Student C: Who are the ba….who is our foe?
Teacher: Very good, student C. Our foe is…
NARRATOR: Lights dim. Curtains shut. Projector starts.
Teacher: …Genghis Khan! Everyone, take notes. We need to know everything about our foe.
Students: :0
NARRATOR: Film plays. Most kids take notes: including yours truly. Some kids fall asleep. Others daydream of vanquishing their foe. Lots of stuff. Lots of different people.
FILM ENDS
Teacher: Okay, everyone get together and check your information against this Fact Sheet.
STUDENTS COMPLY.
Teacher: Okay, we need six groups of five.
AFTER MUCH SHUFFLING ABOUT STUDENTS SETTLE DOWN
Teacher: Here is information about your group: size, strength, location, resources, blah-blah. You must prepare your group for Khan’s attack. Good luck.
BLAH, BLAH, BLAH.
Teacher: Okay, let’s hear your plans.
BLAH, BLAH, BLAH. PRAISE.
Teacher: Right, here is what really happened.
NARRATOR: Film.
Students: :0
Teacher: Oh, there is more. How far do you think Khan’s empire stretched? What happened after his death? More questions.
Students: Blah, blah.
Teacher: Read this section to find the answers.
I would have retained a lot more from history class.
