What Is Being Clever? (Lesson 1)

Our first lesson began with the question "what does being clever mean?" We discussed this in groups, and after much deliberation, we came to the conclusion that there isn't just one definition. Being clever is having intelligence, knowing how to do things. Being clever is being able to think for yourself, and make your own choices. Being clever is being able to understand and take in new things. Being clever is being able to work on your own or in groups. Being clever is getting good grades. And others which I cannot remember.

We then progressed to what methods of learning there are, and what we want. We were introduced to two "characters"- pupils taught previously by Mr Croft. Pupil A was taught how to answer questions in the exam. How to get the best grades come the end of the year. Pupil B was taught what this knowledge meant, what it related to in the real world. He was taught how he could use his knowledge and apply it when he found himself out of education. Both pupils lost their job in the recession. Pupil A found it hard to retrain and struggled to find a new job. However Pupil B found a job easily, due to the fact he had been trained to think for himself and he was able to retrain for a new job relatively easily.

Coming to the end of this discussion, we decided we wanted a bit of both styles. We want to be able to apply what we learn and learn what it really means, but we want to do well in the exam, so any help the teacher can give us- tricks of the trade, how to make the exam easier- we want.

I enjoyed my first Media lesson. The atmosphere was relaxed, but filled with interested people. It felt different, but good, and I hope it continues. I also enjoyed the style the lesson was given in. Mr Croft talked a lot, but with us sat in groups and entering discussions every 10-15 minutes, it was enjoyable, and also helped to digest what was said in that 10 minute spell. Had he spoke for half an hour or even the full hour, I, and I'm sure many of my classmates, would have forgotten what he said, so the fact we were able to discuss it before moving on helped to absorb the knowledge and understand it better.

As an opening lesson goes, you can't get much better than that!