There are hundreds of manuals and workbooks and binders out there about how to teach and train young people, with most of them being well-intended and sometimes interesting. I'm guilty of writing more than one. But sometimes I forget to boil it down to its essence, the point.

Here are three elements for how to make learning meaningful:

1. Relevancy - Young people know what they like, at any age. Sure, they're constantly learning more things they like, but from the age of none my daughter has been communicating to me what she thinks is interesting and good. In my experience as I've grown up I've become so finite in what I like that I have to be conscientious of what bias I'm introducing to my daughter in order to ensure that I'm actually listening to her and in order to attempt understanding what she finds relevant. And relevancy isn't just about likes and dislikes - its about where we're been, where we're going, and who we are, individually and collectively. Working in hundreds of classrooms across the country I've consistently heard from young poeplethat this is the most important part of their learning: That if they don't see why, they might be able to see what - BUT they won't feel how, and they won't know where, when, who, or why.
2. Transparent Teaching - Students want teachers who are real, fallible humans who act as co-learners, fellow searchers, and when appropriate, facilitators and leaders. Transparency gives teachers a mental frame for how to be real with learners. This is an important differentiation with traditional teaching, if for no other reason than because of the democratization of the process embodied inside of this way of approaching learning and teaching. Opening up oneself to demystifying teaching allows young people to conceive of themselves as both learners and teachers, and in turn gives them permission to see teachers as more than dictators. This creates a less hierarchical perspective, which in turn challenges the very nature of traditional schooling and learning.
3. Speak by Listening. When I first read this adage in one of Paulo Freire's books I didn't understand exactly what he was alluding to. However, in the years since I continuously seen people who I admire live by this simple guideline. How we speak to others is a calling card for our self-perception, and in turn how we perceive others. To speak by listening means to let your receptivity, your ego and your ability sit exposed for the people you're listening to.
   

There are many other keys, including appealing to multiple intelligences, using small groups, create action items, constantly checking-in, and avoiding the "trick-and-treat syndrome" that plagues so many well-meaning but poorly-executed community and school programs. We have to reach higher, and these points are meant to help teachers and youth workers make learning meaningful.