Ideal Lecture Hall Moments
It’s Thursday morning with the perfect Edinburgh weather in the fall, just a little breeze, but not freezing just yet. Students are walking into the lecture hall in a variety of dress codes, some formerly dressed up in shirts, pants, and a blazer, lots of students in casual looks with jeans, khakis, vans, Dr. Martens boots, and baggy sweaters, and others in shorts and t-shirts. The students take their seats in the hall as they interact and catch up with each other.
I am observing the glances people are giving each other, and the passionate conversations before the lecture begins. This is a new-ish semester so it marks a new beginning in so many ways, the beginning of friendships, an introduction to a class that people might love, or hate. For others, this is also their first year in university and they are in a new city or new country.
The students are attending a special guest lecture series titled — Politics in Contested Times bringing together political science students from different degrees and years. This is such an intriguing title based on the current events from wars between countries emerging, recovering from the pandemic, the climate crisis leading to devastating floods, wildfires, drought, and hunger, and leadership and governance challenges across many countries.
“Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.” – John Dewey
The speaker is an exiled politician who has had to flee their country to avoid persecution from the current government. The session is quite popular with many people looking to hear first-hand experience on the challenges of fighting for human rights in an oppressive regime. As the talk went on, one student, in particular, took quite a lot of notes and she reminded me of myself and how much I like to note down everything.
After the lecture was done, so many hands went up for questions. Starting with the challenging questions asking the speaker what she is doing to make a difference while in exile. The tough questions requiring the speaker to compare what has happened in her country and how five other countries in the world can learn and avoid a similar predicament. Some inspiring ones offer positive messages to the speaker for her courage, and futuristic questions looking at what’s next for the speaker and her people. And finally, the funny ones that lead the whole lecture room into deep laughter — we always have that one class entertainer whose job is to lighten the mood.
Being back in the lecture hall this morning was quite special. It reminded me how there are a lot of unique insights that come from learning with others. Often, when we hear things for the first time, it can be the beginning of new ideas, an aha moment that leads us to change something, challenge us to take action, or lead to productive reflection. I was an external guest who really enjoyed the experience. I wanted to find a way to bottle it, carry it with me, and remember the simple magical moments that learning brings.
There was a time I was quite consistent with taking online classes on different topics, attending webinars to expand my learning, and applying the lessons to work and life. But I can’t remember exactly when I stopped. I am now looking forward to the next learning experience, and I will be signing up for a few public lectures and online courses this month.
When was the last time you had an exciting learning moment?