Hook and link is a theme that I have heard in all of my MIT classes, as it is a universal approach to increase student engagement and meaningful learning opportunities. This approach is applicable to all disciplines and can be amplified with an intentional use of technology. Teaching is largely about seeing and meeting students where they are to optimize ZPD progression. This holistic approach takes into consideration cultural, social, biological, and emotional contexts to provide equitable opportunities for progress in an academic setting.
Ultimately, if we can instill in our students that they have the ability to learn anything they put their mind to, and if we can show them that they have access to the library of everything (i.e. the world wide web), there really are no limits as to the direction in which students can head. As an educator, we can help students discover their unique set of interests and dig in. This requires a diverse, cross-training approach so that students can learn what makes them tick.
By the time most students are 16 years old, they have a desire to dig into their specific interests and crave utility. As educators, we can help steer public education in the direction of encouraging positive intellectual risk taking and exploration. We must find a balance between providing opportunities for mastery and opportunities to reach for stretch goals. In order to do this, we must also fade out the shame-response to failure and replace it with a learn-opportunity-response, which will require a significant amount of social-emotional learning (SEL) in schools.
One way to reinforce this is through implementation of rec-sports for all students, de-emphasizing the intense level of competition in school sports. Sports are a great way to learn how to work hard, have a good attitude, be a supportive team mate, and eventually take on leadership roles by modeling "heart and hustle" on the field. Learning how to lose or be middle of the pack and keep trying is an essential life skill that is needed in all disciplines. For example, when I was in school for my medical assistant certification, I would practice shooting hoops because working on the automaticity of a physical task on the court helped me with the automaticity of blood draws in class. A significant portion of performance that requires coordination is influenced by cognition and affect. This growth mindset attitude will also help with learning about technology and incorporating new tech tools into the classroom. We must strengthen our communities to fully support learning in and out of the classroom, to which rec-sports will also contribute.
To summarize, effective teaching starts with supporting a growth mindset through sports and SEL education. This support from educators will strengthen the effectiveness of the "hook & link" approach in the classroom. Project based learning will further amplify the "hook & link" approach for improved outcomes. The more educators know about their students and the more the students feel connected to and trust the educators, the better the learning outcomes.
Gone are the days of doing the same thing for every student for 30 years as an educator. Educators must be culturally, technologically, and socially responsive on a continual basis, which might be a difficult or uncomfortable adjustment for seasoned educators ... Enter Whitworth's MIT class of 2022!
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