THANOS HATZIAPOSTOLOU
Senior Lecturer, Department of Computer Science
ENGAGEMENT, MOTIVATION, LEARNING

Research shows that motivation and engagement are
essential for effective learning.

Keeping students motivated and engaged in learning is
not an easy task to achieve.

Many teaching and learning conditions can play a role
on student motivation. Just to name a few:





active student-centered learning,
formal and informal interaction,
well-structured course,
meaningful assessment,
detailed feedback
LEARNING BEGINS WITH WONDER - Engaging Students through Teaching with Magic
2
ROLE OF LEARNING CONDITIONS

Learning and teaching conditions
are critical since they:
 may promote motivation and
engagement
 or may trigger negative moods,
anxiety, disengagement and
boredom

The challenge for educators lies
in not only sparking the fire of
engagement but keeping the fire
burning.
LEARNING BEGINS WITH WONDER - Engaging Students through Teaching with Magic
3
CLASSROOM ENGAGEMENT

One important learning condition is the
teaching style of the educator

Educators are constantly trying to find
methods to provide content in a way
that will be remembered and keep
students engaged in learning


Examples of such strategies include
using humor, using real-life examples,
using technology etc.
A very innovative way to maximize the
chances for strong and lasting
engagement and motivation of
students is to use MAGIC.
LEARNING BEGINS WITH WONDER - Engaging Students through Teaching with Magic
4
MAGIC: WHY USE IT IN CLASS?




MAGIC is a performing art or skill of producing baffling
effects or seemingly impossible illusions by sleight of hand
or apparatus
There are many categories of magic effects such as
vanishing, transformation, penetration, teleportation,
prediction etc.
Magic is both visual and auditory, it is intellectually
challenging, it is surrounded by mystery, contains the
element of surprise, triggers feelings, emotions and
imagination, draws the focus and attention
Magic can act as natural stimulant increasing alertness
and energy, puts students in a much more receptive state
for learning and overall, strengthen emotional, congnitive
and behavioral engagement
LEARNING BEGINS WITH WONDER - Engaging Students through Teaching with Magic
5
10 YEARS OF TEACHING WITH MAGIC

The purpose of this presentation is:


to present the benefits of integrating
magic effects and illusions in the
teaching/learning process
after ten years of:

giving lectures, presentations,
seminars and speeches

in various topics (technology,
computing, business, innovation,
entrepreneurship and many others)

to audiences from ten years old to
fifty years old
LEARNING BEGINS WITH WONDER - Engaging Students through Teaching with Magic
6
BENEFITS OF TEACHING WITH MAGIC

MAGIC can demonstrate and
highlight academic concepts

regardless of the level (primary,
secondary or tertiary education)

and regardless of the discipline
(physics, psychology, computer
science, economics, law etc)
LEARNING BEGINS WITH WONDER - Engaging Students through Teaching with Magic
7
BENEFITS OF TEACHING WITH MAGIC

Lecturers emphasize key points in a
lecture.


Some use anecdotes to illustrate main
points, others use real-life examples.
MAGIC can be a strong method to
clarify, visualize and emphasize key
points.

Students, ask themselves: “What does
this magic effect teach me?”
LEARNING BEGINS WITH WONDER - Engaging Students through Teaching with Magic
8
BENEFITS OF TEACHING WITH MAGIC


Many studies reveal that a
percentage of students thinks
lectures are monotonous and
sometimes even boring.
MAGIC effects and illusions
injected with humor can break
the monotony of a lecture, make
students more receptive and
engage them in active learning.
LEARNING BEGINS WITH WONDER - Engaging Students through Teaching with Magic
9
BENEFITS OF TEACHING WITH MAGIC

MAGIC effects and
illusions can spark and
sustain students’
energy, excitement,
and love of learning,
and cultivate a thriving
and passionate
community of learners
LEARNING BEGINS WITH WONDER - Engaging Students through Teaching with Magic
10
BENEFITS OF TEACHING WITH MAGIC



The first impression of the teacher
and the material to be presented
are very important.
Learning is more fun when the
environment isn’t too rigid.
MAGIC effects can break the ice
and set the appropriate
atmosphere for each class.
LEARNING BEGINS WITH WONDER - Engaging Students through Teaching with Magic
11
BENEFITS OF TEACHING WITH MAGIC


Student/teacher rapport is an
essential element for effective
teaching since positive rapport
seems to facilitate both student
motivation for learning and their
enjoyment of the course.
MAGIC illusions related to class
material can greatly enhance
student/teacher rapport.
LEARNING BEGINS WITH WONDER - Engaging Students through Teaching with Magic
12
ADOPTION REQUIREMENTS
 Practice, practice more and keep practicing
 Practice the inner workings of an effect
 Practice in front of a mirror
 Practice in front of a friendly live audience
 Magic is not done, it’s performed
 Presentation adds value and makes the difference
 Appropriate presentation types:
 Strong integration with taught material
 Story-telling for lifelong skills
 Story-telling with humor
LEARNING BEGINS WITH WONDER - Engaging Students through Teaching with Magic
13
AFTER ADOPTION SUGGESTIONS

Some things are better left unsaid
 Avoid using the words ‘trick’ and ‘misdirection’

The secret to a magic effect: reveal it or not?
 Revealing the secret destroys the mystery
 Only expose if it is part of the teaching process

Personal teach-by-magic style
 Perform magic that corresponds to your teaching style

Repetition is not suggested
 Not interesting to experience same or similar effects
 Principle of surprise is difficult to accomplish
LEARNING BEGINS WITH WONDER - Engaging Students through Teaching with Magic
14
SUMMARY
 Teaching through Magic Effects and Illusions
does require time, effort and practice!
 not only to learn to perform magic effects
 but also to find the proper ways to effectively and
efficiently integrate magic in the learning and
teaching process
 BUT IT’S WORTH THE RESULT!
LEARNING BEGINS WITH WONDER - Engaging Students through Teaching with Magic
15
THANOS HATZIAPOSTOLOU
Senior Lecturer, Computer Science Department
CITY COLLLEGE, Int. Faculty of the University of Sheffield
Email: hatziapostolou@city.academic.gr
Website: http://www.city.academic.gr/csd/hatziapostolou/