Learn Like A DJ: Some Student Feedback

In today's fast-paced and technology-driven world, students face a constant battle against distractions that can hinder their learning progress. However, there is a tool at their disposal: the ability to create personalised strategies for optimal learning and distraction avoidance. This is where ‘Learn Like a DJ’ can help students reflect on their own barriers to learning and the possible strategies they can use to combat them. A class of 22 students were walked through the 'Learn Like A DJ' organisers and then given the opportunity give feedback.

Learn Like A DJ - Student Feedback

Step 1 - The DJ - Making the Connection

The students were shown a clip of the DJ Todd Terry in action so that the they could reflect on all the things that a DJ needs to focus on at the same time.

We discussed the connections between the complexities of what a DJ does and and to their own personal learning.

Step 2 - The Barriers to Learning

During a classroom discussion the students mentioned a number of things that they need to balance in order to learn effectively. As we dug deeper into possible barriers to learning that some students felt, and noted these on the board.

The next step was to present the students with the 'Learn Like a DJ' organiser.

The various barriers to learning headings were explained to the students and they were informed that they didn't have to fill in all of them:

• Positive Mindset - Are you negative before you even before you start something?

• Boundaries - Do you break the social rules of the classroom? Such as throwing things, disturbing others, going to online games that you are not permitted?

• Seating - When given the choice to you sit and work with people who will aid your learning or with others that hinder it through distractions?

• Timing - Do you prioritise you work appropriately, or leave the less engaging things until the last minute and then struggle to complete them?

• Focus - How focussed are you on what you want to be doing?

• Distractions - What distractions are there around you? What distractions to you create for yourself and/or others?

• Equipment - Do you have your materials, such as pen, iPad, books etc ready or do you need to be looking for they during an activity or piece of work?

Step 3 - Strategies for Learning

Once they had identified a number of barriers to their learning, they ranked them. They were given time to do this, so that they could reflect and make changes.

Once they were satisfied with their ranking list, they were instructed to choose their top three most obstructive barriers to their learning. They wrote these on the labels in the organiser.

The next step was to come up with strategies to combat the three barriers to learning.

The students already had some ideas from the work done from Professor Steve Peter's books 'My Hidden Chimp' and 'The Silent Guides'. Where he talks about controlling or boxing your chimp. We used some of these ideas together with others, to come up with some strategies to combatting the barriers to learning.

This is an example of a student organiser with strategies. Notice that the student doesn't name anyone as a distraction on their paper. This was a first attempt at this with these students. They are still getting to know themselves as learners. Therefore, some of the strategies are 'STOP' strategies as opposed to more constructive and positive ones.

Student Feedback

The class of 22 students were asked to reflect on the process and how it may or may not benefit them. Nearly all the students mentioned that they understood the process and why they were reflecting on themselves as learners. More than half of the students found it reasonably easy to complete the first organiser, whilst some required further guidance when it came to identifying their own personal barriers to learning. They were able to express

Coming up with strategies for the the second sheet was much easier, with only one student finding it a challenge. When asked what they learnt about themselves as a learner, they all had an answer:

• I learned what is stopping my learning

• I learned that I should stop spinning too much my chair

• I talk too much

• Timing

• I learned that I have to focus on the instruction . I have to do my work on time like the DJ do everything with time

Whilst the students may already know this about themselves and it was not knew learning, it was something that they had identified in order to do something about. The students were creative in their thinking when asked how they could use these sheets to help them support their own learning:

• To help with focused mindful learning

• By doing our things on time

• I think we could best use the strategy sheet to improve on our problems

• Distractions and timing

• I think we should put it on our tables.

• When ever I am not focused or I am not using my time well or any other things on the sheet I know that I can look back at the sheet and try to do what the seconded sheet says.

The students may have been answering what was expected of them. We will have to wait and see.