Learn Active Learning by Lakshmi Narayani is one of the most sensible approaches to learning that I’ve ever come across. As a former teacher, I’m often appalled at how little classroom teaching and learning has changed in the past 30 years, along with how progress is still measured by exams and tests, and achievement by the grades. But how much real learning and retention actually takes place? And how much do the students enjoy the learning? It doesn’t take rocket science to realize that the more we enjoy learning something, the more likely we are to remember it.

Lakshmi Narayani aims to bring both enjoyment and retention into the classroom. To explain her suggested system and help one remember it, she has coined the mnemonic, TRAMWA. The letters of the mnemonic stand for Think, Read, Ask, Mind Map, Write and Assess. To substantiate why her TRAMWA approach works, Lakshmi reminds the reader how children first learn anything: the infant watches, explores the environment, mimics what he/she hears and sees. But once in school, children need more than that to learn and retain the sheer volume of information that will come their way. They need to “tramwa” and their teachers’ jobs are to facilitate students’ ability to think, read, ask, mind map, write and assess what they are learning.

In Learn Active Learning, Lakshmi Narayani goes into great detail, explaining each step of TRAMWA and how to make it work both in the classroom and at home. The last chapter is a complete workbook. While Learn Active Learning is aimed at teaching school-aged children, the principles would apply in any teaching situation, including adult programs. It is designed to put the excitement of exploration and drawing conclusions into learning. Much like children engaged in a treasure hunt, and feeling achievement when they find the treasure, the TRAMWA approach works and the reward isn’t based on memory work and getting good marks for something forgotten a week later. The reward is long term understanding and recollection of what was learned. Learn Active Learning by Lakshmi Naranyani should be required reading for all who teach others anything!

Learn Active Learning: Take ownership of learning using TRAMEWA Learning Framework by Lakshmi Narayani revolves around the TRAMEWA Learning Framework which delves into the education system and learning. The author’s goal is to make education an enjoyable and exploratory process rather than dump a whole lot of information on learners. The author compares the hunt for knowledge to a treasure hunt. The author tells parents to just provide kids with the framework and ground rules and then give them the freedom to find their own comfortable space when it comes to studying. The author also stresses the need for a Learning Framework to give learning a more systematic approach.

The author speaks extensively about the TRAMEWA framework, the advantages and who can adopt it. She also gives tips on how to develop healthy reading habits among kids. The TRAMEWA framework also encourages learners to ask questions and highlights the importance of asking questions. The techniques given for reading, writing and learning are really useful and it is simple and can be put into practice without much difficulty. TRAMEWA for life, classroom and home have been effectively covered. The Sample Project Workbook towards the end of the book is useful in putting into practice what is learned. And the author recommends this workbook format to be used in every learning endeavor. This book is very informative and educational.

Learn Active Learning: Take ownership of learning using TRAMEWA Learning Framework by Lakshmi Narayani asks some great questions like do all children enjoy learning in school? Maybe not. Do most children enjoy learning in school? Well, probably. Do most children enjoy a treasure hunt? Most likely. So the big question then becomes why are treasure hunts something that kids all like? Easy: the hunt for treasure gets them a reward in the end. There is no reason that learning can’t be taught in a similar fashion to make it more enjoyable for children and to make them treasure every moment of their education. Once the transformation of enjoying school happens, there will be better test scores, better grades, and an overall better attitude when it comes to school.

This book has some very practical and interesting advice when it comes to learning. I have a nephew who so far has found he is not a big fan of school and that made me curious to see what this book would teach as I am always trying to help him (I loved school). Lakshmi Narayani has given practical and easy to use lessons on making learning an enjoyable process for children. I have already started to talk to my sister about reading and implementing some of these lessons for my nephew. The book is well researched and comes off in a tone that is easy to understand. If you need help with your child's schooling, this is a great place to start.