Getting in the Mooood to learn

I have always loved shopping at Stew Lenard's, not only because the many in-store samples that let me try new things, but because the place is designed to help me to be in a better mooood to shop. Yesterday's shopping trip inspired me to relate some of these thoughts to teaching and learning:

1) Letting learners know WHY something is important to learn is part of the educator's job.
2) Showing learners how to direct themselves through information will make the learning personal.
3) Relating the topic to the learners' experiences helps people to construct their own knowledge.
4) People will not learn until they are ready and motivated to learn; and making it fun makes the process easier (here's the part about how Stew Lenard's relates)
5) This requires helping them overcome inhibitions, behaviors, and beliefs about learning.

By offering in-store samples, I was given the opportunity to try new products, and change my ideas. I had a good time while shopping, and was motivated to "construct" a cherry cake because I learned about the nutritional value of cherries from the store display, conversations with the produce staff and discovered the perfect beverage to accompany my cake from a sample and a suggestion.