Well, having been a poor kid outperforming rich kids, may I highlight for that research what were for me the deciding factors of educational success:
- fanatical perseverance
- belief in self
- private tutoring
- intricate friend relationships with classmates that sprout deep discussion about an educational topic
All of these factors surge through your brain a drastic structural change which has as a consequence for the synapses the faster access to data (don't quote me on this though). This intensive exposure to continuous improvement has empowered the brain to send more and more neurotransmitters between the synapses, forming a more complex network of readily available connections. It is this complex network of readily-available data that makes them outperform because the other kids haven't made those connections.
Definitely, the most crucial factors are determination and versatile exposure. You have to be exposed to various forms of information absorption: kinetic, auditory, visual,.. books, videos, presentations, people, connections, insight,..
A medicine student once told me: "The brain does not have enough in just a blueprint of information. It needs to be completely immersed in new and complete information for it to fully grasp and it store it". That's why Powerpoint slides are never enough to pass a class. We need elaborate, high-quality material such as books to give use the full picture.
As for great teaching methods:
- never, ever assume things from your students. What I hated most in college was the professors who rambled on and flew over difficult subjects without going in-depth, loudly assuming from everyone that they understood what they said
- teach your students privately, monitor their progress and let them ask all the questions they want, no limits. Private, patient and detailed teaching is crucial for a student's success.
- show the kids the tricks of the trade. Show them what resources you should use for information lookup. Show them what could possibly give them insight on new topics.
- establish a trust relationship. Kids will not listen to people they don't trust, or at least they will have a much harder time absorbing new information because their mind is too busy disliking the teacher.
- be passionate about your field and carry that passion over to your students
- never make the kids feel alienated. If they have no one to study with, perhaps be their study buddy yourself. It will make them feel not alone, not hopeless. The more hopelessness you have, the less you feel like studying.
- access to great resource material. Give the kids access to that.
- be funny, but not comedic. Make them smile once in a while so that they will associate positivity with learning and with your teaching and they will consequently have more likelihood to pick up a book and think about your methods
- be available for them at all times. A kid feels scared when he cannot call upon his teacher for help.
- provide a lot of mock-exams/tests. Familiarity breeds growth.
No one thought I would make it through higher education, but I did.
The teachers must motivate the student enough - but I must say it's not enough. The student will only truly shine if the above principles are applied.
Enjoy your research.
