The Leonardo Effect

This method encourages children to grasp their own education by the cuff and believe it is rightfully theirs. This method also enhances effectiveness and creativity of teaching within a classroom environment that gives each child equal opportunities. It is suitable for all children no matter their ability level, in the hope to develop within them a hunger for knowledge, a confidence to have a go and that it's okay to be wrong. Sometimes you have to be wrong to then be right. It enhances teachers learning too,

4 Stages of the Leonardo Effect:

                             

1. Capture Learners imaginations

•  First-hand Experiences
• Self-generated questions
• Encourages curiosity in learning
• Discover-based learning
•  Pupils feel empowered
• Teachers feel energised

2. Development

•  Exploration
• No boundaries
• No bar on potential
• Experimenting with own ideas
• Different learning styles (VAK)
• Development of Skills
•  Development of Knowledge
• Development of Understanding

3. Creation

• Students challenged
• Students apply knowledge and skills
• Innovative and creative context
•  Takes learning to next level
• Encourages children to exceed potential

4. Reflect and Communicate

•  Evaluation
• Communication
• New learning experiences
• Use and experiment with newly acquired skills
•  Reflect upon own work

Gelb, MJ (2009) states ways in which the average person can think more like Leonardo Da Vinci. These are called the 7 Da Vincian Principles:

• 1. Curiositá (Curiosity) - Curiosity to seek for continuous learning.

• 2. Dimostrazione (Demostration) - Learning from mistakes, Experience, Testing knowledge, etc.

• 3. Sensazione (Sensation) - Continually refine your senses.

• 4. Sfumato (Mystery) - Willingness to explore into the unknown.

• 5. Arte/Scienza (Art/Science) - Forming a balance of Art and Science within life.

• 6. Corporalitá (Corporeality) - Fitness and Poise, Grace and Ambidexterity.

• 7. Connessione (Connection) - The ability to recognise different connections of phenomena in the world.

During an educational studies seminar we were looking at the different elements in the world: Earth; Wind; Fire; Water; and the different things in our world that are related to these different elements. For example, grass and plants, the ocean or volcano's, etc. After brainstorming ideas on each element, the class were split into four different groups and we all got assigned a different element. We were then given a task to research into a current issue. My group got water and we decided to look into Sink Holes.

Our created poster on Sink Holes.

This activity really opened our eyes about how we can live our lives day to day with no worry and no thought about this dangerous issue that is happening all over the world; as well as many others. Yet this disaster does happen and greatly damages peoples lives. or sadly, sometimes ends them. By researching and working on this activity ourselves we really took in this information, and understood the seriousness of it. As it was our personal learning not just spoon-fed information from the teacher. This therefore is more likely to remain and not be forgotten.

This activity promoted three important aspects of the Leonardo Effect. These were: Inquiry; problem solving; creative and innovative thinking. It made us grasp our own learning by the cuff and take ownership of it, through a hands-on and enjoyable approach.

References:

- The Leonardo Effect. (2011). Fact Sheet. Available: http://www.leonardoeffect.com/connecting_learning_to_hard_to_reach_children.html. Last accessed 29/03/2014.

- Gelb, MJ (2009). Think like Da Vinci: 7 Easy steps to boosting your everyday genius. 2nd ed. London: Harper Element. p47-220.