Immerse Yourself

Dave Burgess, author of Teach Like a Pirate, writes that the I in PIRATE stands for immersion, and here's a snippet of what he has to say regarding it:

"If you are out on the pool deck and someone asks you to focus on the swimming pool, what does that mean? Would you go stand at the side and stare at it? Would you climb into the lifeguard tower and watch from above? Focus is, after all, supposed to be a powerful and effective strategy. Now compare the concept of focus with the next scenario that defines immersion. You're on the pool deck and someone tells you to immerse yourself in the swimming pool What would this look like? What is implied when someone asks you to immerse yourself in a pool? You're wet! You're in the water! You're either swimming or you're drowning. It's a qualitatively different experience.

I can walk by the open door of a classroom and tell you after a couple of minutes whether the teacher is a lifeguard or a swimmer. A lifeguard sits above the action and supervises the pool deck. Although he or she is focused, there is a distinct sense of separateness both physically and mentally. In contrast, a swimmer is out participating and an integral part of the action" (2012, pp. 14-15).

Burgess goes on to explain that there are times when both lifeguard and swimmer roles are practical in the classroom, however, he is quick to contend that it is vital for teachers to take on the swimmer role when dealing with new(er) material. The analogy he uses compares the role of a swim instructor with that of a swim coach. The most effective swim instructors for those learning to swim are in the water and actively engaged with the learner, modeling and even manipulating the learner's movements in order to help the learner grasp the concept of swimming. A swim coach, in contrast, takes on more of the lifeguard role with developed swimmers, observing and instructing verbally from the pool deck.

How often do you find yourself in the role of a lifeguard in your classroom? How about in the role of a swimmer?

Thinking about your average day, which role would likely be most effective in helping your students learn?

What do you need to do to get yourself into the water on the days when your students are approaching newer material? What do you need to do to get yourself out of the water once students are swimming on their own?

Burgess, D. (2012). Immersion. In Teach like a pirate: Increase student engagement, boost your creativity, and transform your life as an educator (pp. 13-18). San Diego, CA: Dave Burgess Consulting.