BeamLight Foundation Coaching/Mentoring class held on 9th February 2019 focused on the following subjects:
- Politics & Civic Responsibility
- How to Excel in a Difficult and an Uninteresting Subject
The participants were taught basic terms associated with the subject of Politics & Civic Responsibility (e.g. Politics, power, authority, civil society, citizenship, citizen etc). Civic Responsibility is defined as the responsibility of a citizen. Civic responsibility can include participation in government (registering to vote and voting, serving on statutory boards and committees etc). Participants were also informed of their duties and rights as citizens. Also, they were taught to perceive politics in a good light and should start preparing to take up public offices in the near future by cultivating a disciplined attitude to service.
Furthermore, participants were also encouraged to conquer what may appear as a hurdle or barrier in their studies. Part 1 of the subject “How to Excel in a Difficult and an Uninteresting Subject” focused on Studying Effectively. The work of Barbara Oakley, PhD was cited. In “A Mind for Numbers: How to Excel at Math and Science (Even if you Flunked Algebra),” Oakley avers: “we impulsively first focus as hard as we can on the details of a difficult subject – like the narrow beam of a flashlight on a dark path. But without first shining a broad light ahead, we fail to see the big picture concepts – all those connecting paths that make mastering a subject possible.” The ability to switch between the narrow-beam (focused) and the broad-beam (diffused modes of thinking) was emphasised as this is key to learning complex or difficult subject. Below are some tips given to assist participants:
– Scan the headings, sub-headings and illustrations of the chapter first.
– Focus your attention to create conceptual chunks of information.
– Pause, recall and reflect.
– Use simple analogies or comparisons to make concepts memorable.
– Space your studies and your practice
– Ask yourself challenging questions
– Restate material in your own words
– Switch off between the difficult subject and other subjects.
– Change study location
– Always practice and review past questions on your own.
Thanks to all members, volunteers and supporters of BeamLight Foundation. Above all, all glory to God for yet another successful class. Do see scenes from the class below:
