Principle 3: Learning through doing

Examples:

REPORT ON LEARNERS WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE OLYPEACE FESTIVAL IN GREECE 2001

Eight children from the Ethembeni School for the Physically Disabled and Visually Impaired attended an ultra marathon relay of 240km from Olympia to Delphi in July 2001.

After this wonderful experience the staff involved with these children noted a tremendous change in their attitude and their perception of life as people with disabilities. They started showing a positive outlook on life as a whole, as a result that they all made it at the end of the year.  Even though some of them   are no longer at Ethembeni due to the fact that Ethembeni does not go up to Matric (Grade 12) but we have received positive reports about them in different places where they are.

A general feeling amongst all of them and the greatest aspect they have learnt was: 1. Although disabled they are fortunate to be from a country where people live in peace and 2. That although suffering a disability, that there is no limits and depends on the positive individual mind.

 

Music Example:
 If we start with writing and lecturing there are obstacles to learning the music. We don't explain; we just do it. We clap; we sing. We use an African song without explaining the words, just syllables with tones. Everyone can do it. They enjoy it. They become sympathetic, and then I teach a more complicated song. We sing; we invent new words, new rhythms. Something is awakened through  doing this that is alive and they are able to write their own songs.
                                                            Tami, Music teacher

Explanation:
Start by doing; learn by imitating!
Our patterns of interaction create habits and expectations. Until a person experiences something compelling that speaks differently it is difficult to give up old ways. Learning through action and doing has a powerful effect that can create insight, understanding, and change.