In today’s episode, Dr. Bill Robertson introduces us to “action science” and the ways he is making his teaching relevant, creating opportunities for the most active kind of learning I can imagine.

Action science - Relevant teaching and active learning

Guest: Bill Robertson
Dr. Skateboard

Bill has a Ph.D. in Education and has been a skateboarder for over thirty-five years. He has done hundreds of demonstrations nationally and internationally in festivals, events and in academic settings.

Bill has been an educator for over twenty years. His academic areas of expertise are science education, curriculum development, and technology integration. He also teaches and does research in the areas of problem-based learning and action science.

Find him online:

Quotes

People who are learning a second language may know exactly what they’re talking about but might not be able to express themselves.
—Bill Robertson

The things that made me successful in skateboarding made me successful in education.
—Bill Robertson

I realized there was a lot of physics and concepts in these sports that can be expressed and could be engaging and motivating for the students.
—Bill Robertson

The skills [students] are really good at can apply to something like education … if they can master something, they can probably master something else.
—Bill Robertson

You have to find ways to integrate the interests of your learners into your curriculum.
—Bill Robertson

Resources

Teaching in Higher Ed episode 015: How to get students to participate in discussion, with Stephen Brookfield
Teaching in Higher Ed post: Sticky notes as a teaching tool

Recommendations:

From listener Pamela:

Book: Training in Motion* by Mike Kuczala. Emphasizes the importance of movement for learning (and not just regular exercise)

Bill:

Non-profit organization: Skateistan. Using skateboarding as a tool for empowerment, with a large commitment for young women in Afghanistan, Cambodia and South Africa.
Educational Portal: Edutopia. Dedicated to transforming K-12 education.

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Action science – Relevant teaching and active learning

Teaching in Higher Ed