As an instructor, there is no more gratifying experience than that of recognizing a student’s “Ah ha” moments, the moment of “sudden realization, inspiration, insight, recognition, or comprehension.” Sometimes, the moment is clearly shown in the expression on a student’s face. Other times, the realization or connection with a concept comes gradually over days or weeks. Ah ha is a moment of sudden understanding ("now I get it") when a learner sees a new connection not previously seen. The understanding may lead to excitement, deeper comprehension, a change in perspective, and/or recognition of how it can be applied to real life situations (Pilcher 2015).
These are exactly the moments that, as instructors, we want to highlight, expand on, and ideally repeat. They also offer an opportune moment to encourage students to collaborate with others, to engage in peer instruction, to share the experience of grasping a concept and possibly tell students still struggling some of how they got there.
The most common strategies identified as leading to or resulting in ah ha moments among their learners are:
Real life examples
Questioning
Reflection/reflective activities
Analogies
Problem solving in teams
You can find out more about such learning strategies here.
Capturing and sharing that ah ha moment can be managed with the use of educational technology either analog, with sticky notes or notes on classroom writing surfaces, or digital with tools available in Canvas such as Discussions or Piazza. These can become springboards for the instructor or GSIs to get a snapshot of class progress or to pull out student insights to share. Reading the wall, either analog or digital, can be a student activity, and the start of productive dialogue between students.
If you’d like to consult on how best to incorporate such activities into your class, email LSATechnologyServices@umich.edu!
Citations
Pilcher, Jobeth. A Modified Delphi Study to Define Ah ha Moments in Education Settings. Educational Research Quarterly; West Monroe Vol. 38, Iss. 4, (Jun 2015): 51-65.
Merriam-Webster Online. (2019). Aha. Retrieved November 18, 2019 from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ aha%20moment
