I recently read an article by Ben Johnson (2016) that promoted the theory that our learners need to be given the opportunity to learn something new at least three times before we can expect them to know it and apply it.
Johnson suggests we use these three steps:
1. Engage the students in a practical way. After introducing and modelling the learning that is the focus, we need to have our students 'do' something, such as a practical inquiry or discovery activity.
Johnson states, "The important thing is that students have their first roll-up-the-sleeves-and-get-messy experience with the content they are supposed to acquire."
2. Give the students a second opportunity to practice what they learned by using collaborative learning strategies. In groups, they can categorize, analyze or create their own unique patterns.
3. Do some really fun stuff with the content through project-based learning. Require them to do some problem-solving, critical thinking, and creative thinking and then showcase this learning for others.
Examples he gives for showcasing learning include: movie presentation, Reader's Theatre, quiz show, panel discussion, a photo tour, or a slide show.
While sometimes it might take more than three opportunities for the learning to be consolidated, Johnson suggested three is a minimum requirement. He says, "The Rule of Three has to be the students trying to recall, understand, or apply what they have learned on their own."
Ask yourself, "What three learning opportunities have I given my students about this content so they can be successful?"
From: 'Using the Rule of Three' Johnson, B. April, 2016, Edutopia
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