Finding Joy in the Learning Journey

We can remember a time when we encountered a really tough challenge. Remember that tricky maths problem from school? Or that complicated recipe you wanted to master? At first, it might have felt like giving up was the easiest option, but the joy of finally ‘getting it’ after trying and trying again felt incredible. This isn’t just about the high-fives or the pats on the back but the deep satisfaction of overcoming a challenge. In learning, these moments of enjoyment are the unsung heroes that keep us going.

When Enjoyment isn’t just ‘Having Fun’

Enjoyment in learning goes beyond the occasional chuckles in a classroom or the light-hearted moments during a study session. Here, we’re talking about the deep joy of overcoming hurdles and achieving success. It’s not the temporary happiness of playing a game, it’s the long-lasting satisfaction you feel when, after hours of practice, you finally nail that science concept or when, after many tries, you grasp a challenging idea.

Why is Joy important for learning?

Joy in learning offers numerous superpowers. Let’s explore a few of them:

• Boosts Memory: Surprisingly, emotions and memory are closely linked. If you want to learn more about this, read Chapter Two in Teaching for Learning in a Fast-Changing World. The stronger the emotion connected to an event (like the triumph after a challenge), the clearer the memory. So, that feeling of joy you experience after conquering a tricky problem? Your brain is making a mental note to remember it.
• Drives Motivation: The satisfaction gained from overcoming obstacles is a powerful motivator. It creates a cycle: the more challenges you conquer, the more you want to take on. It turns the, “Can I?” into, “Watch me!”
• Boosts the Learning Experience: The journey sprinkled with challenges is more memorable than a smooth sail. It’s the bumps, the twists, and the turns that make the learning journey worthwhile and more memorable. As John Dewey said, “We do not learn from experience; we learn from reflecting on our experience; we have more to reflect on when the learning is not always easy and straightforward”.

Bringing Joy to the Classroom

Teachers have an important role in bringing joy to the classroom. By setting challenges that aren’t too easy or hard, we set the stage for Learners to experience the joy of not giving up. An environment that supports this kind of enjoyment is one where curiosity is encouraged; mistakes are seen as stepping-stones to learning and small successes are celebrated.

While the joy of learning is something we all naturally have, there are simple ways to help it grow:

Celebrate Small Wins: Every little success shows determination. Celebrate it!

Set Personal Challenges: Encourage and scaffold Learners to push their boundaries. Set challenges that allow Learners to step out of their comfort zone and provide the help needed to succeed.

Learn Together: When Learners have the opportunities to work together, they face challenges as a team and find answers together. This can make learning even more enjoyable.

Turn Mistakes into Opportunities: Instead of thinking of mistakes as failures, encourage Learners to see them as chances to learn. There will be plenty of times for Learners to get feedback from each other or from you.

Find Inspiration: Encourage Learners to explore different inventors, scientists, artists, and their journeys. Knowing that they also never gave up, even when things got tough, can be really inspiring.

Teachers hold a special role in guiding these life-changing moments. Every classroom challenge we present, every gentle nudge towards trying again, plants the seed for this deep sense of joy in our Learners. When Learners overcome obstacles and accomplish what once felt impossible, the satisfaction they experience is the ultimate reward of education. In those moments, a Teacher’s role becomes more than delivering the curriculum; it involves helping them develop the ability to bounce back from challenges, keep going even when things get tough and maintain a deep passion for learning throughout their lives. Want to know more about the joy of learning? Take our online course, ‘Introduction to Project-based Learning’, to find out more!