"Edutainment" Works

It seems like we have to continually learn this, even though most of us acknowledge it as being true: Human beings learn better when they are having fun. Among other factors, this has to do with the effect fun has on focusing one's attention, the effect it has on memorability, and I think to an unrecognized degree, to the fact that it makes you want to come back for more.

I ran across a neat summary of this very broad subject at Marc Accetta's blog. Marc is the founder of the Unstoppable Foundation and wants to "pass on our uncommon knowledge to America's youth." As Marc notes, "...the goal of edutainment being to not only educate, but to stimulate as well." Without the stimulation part, learning can often chase people away before the fun starts.

I remember Michael Jordan once said that kids should be allowed to simply play and love the game of basketball until age fourteen or so. Then they can be taught all the details and experience the pressure of serious competition.

I think something similar happens to young students. Introducing them to a topic like science should lean more toward exploration and fun discovery than memorization of information. Once the passion is ignited, over time kids will accept--and some will enjoy--the "drier" parts of the subject. We need to help educators by reducing the sheer number of science requirements in elementary school and let them spend more creative time igniting student passion. We are losing too many students to other subjects. They don't stay in the curriculum long enough to experience the fun and wonder!