"G A T E W A Y" M E T H O D

(as demonstrated in the video: What does Grey Matter)
RATIONALE (Why?):

• We can learn all life long
• We become better at some things the older we become
• Learning can be fun and exciting
• USE IT OR LOSE IT!

KEY POINTS:

• Attendance voluntary / quiet room / circle/ horse-shoe
• Students make choices / decisions → responsibility
• Fun, exciting, possible
• Realistic but not limiting – take risks and create challenges (or it slowly dies)
• Problems are thrown back to the group – become the opportunity for group decision making
• Keep records of what happens (self esteem/motivation)
• End of session – check that happy with how it’s going and plan next session

STEPS:

1. Preparation – bag of tricks / questions / background information
2. Introduce self and aims
3. Share learning ideas (offer chance to everyone)
4. Decide what to do next
5. Group ideas
   • Redirect those that are inappropriate or unrealistic – they can become a forum for lots of activities
   • Prioritise

HANDY HINTS:

1. Talk to quiet ones outside group
   
2. Wall-charts – Interests / Learning Ideas / Jobs / Decisions
   
3. Create as many roles as possible for students, e.g.
   
   • group/librarian
   • publicity officer
   • recorder
   • video/book reviewers
   • liaison with D.O.N. / Resident Committee
   • music club organiser


4. Give “homework” without pressure, i.e. start tentatively – an option rather than an obligation some will do it, but probably not all of them.