(Editorial - Graphic Illustration - MetroCreativeConnection)

Many of us have probably been trained to do something new on the job and said to the trainer “Just let me sit down and start working on it. I learn better by doing it.” That’s not something that happens only to adult employees. Kids often learn better when they are able to get their hands on something, too.

That’s why it was so encouraging to get a look last week at some of the ways Wood County Schools students are achieving success in ways that aren’t always limited to traditional classroom work, during the Local School Improvement Council showcase at Parkersburg South High School.

“When we do an LSIC showcase, the schools bring out something that they’re very proud of — student learning, what they want to share with the community, with parents — to showcase what they’ve done this year,” said Superintendent Christie Willis. “Sometimes they’ll show us data notebooks, maybe a project that they’ve been working on, things that are nontraditional — test paper, pencil — which is very exciting to see some other ways that they can show what they’ve learned.”

For example, hands-on activities to teach math and science include games and projects, at Gihon Elementary School. Other student-led presentations at the event featured interactive projects and demonstrations ranging from science and technology to the arts.

It is wonderful to know students are learning from educators who use a range of methods to teach their subjects.

Surely that will lead to adults who tackle the real world with flexible thinking and no fear of straying outside “the way it has always been done.” And that is exactly what we need.