Keeping students motivated and engaged in learning is not an easy task to achieve. The purpose of this presentation is to present magic effects and illusions as an innovative student engagement strategy and the benefits they offer when integrated in the teaching/learning process.

1. THANOS HATZIAPOSTOLOU
Senior Lecturer, Department of Computer Science

2. ENGAGEMENT, MOTIVATION, LEARNING
Research shows that motivation and engagement are
essential for effective learning.
Keeping students motivated and engaged in learning is
not an easy task to achieve.
Many teaching and learning conditions can play a role
on student motivation. Just to name a few:
active student-centered learning,
formal and informal interaction,
well-structured course,
meaningful assessment,
detailed feedback
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3. ROLE OF LEARNING CONDITIONS
Learning and teaching conditions
are critical since they:
may promote motivation and
engagement
or may trigger negative moods,
anxiety, disengagement and
boredom
The challenge for educators lies
in not only sparking the fire of
engagement but keeping the fire
burning.
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4. MAGIC AS AN ENGAGEMENT STRATEGY
One important learning condition is the
teaching style of the educator.
Educators are constantly trying to find
methods to provide content in a way
that will be remembered and keep
students engaged in learning.
Examples of such strategies include
using humor, using real-life examples,
using technology etc.
A very innovative way to maximize the
chances for strong and lasting
engagement and motivation of
students is to use MAGIC.
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5. DEFINITION OF MAGIC
MAGIC is the performing art or
skill of producing baffling effects
or seemingly impossible illusions
by sleight of hand or apparatus.
There are many categories of
magic effects such as vanishing,
transformation, penetration,
teleportation, prediction etc.
Being able to perform magic and
illusions for teaching purposes is
undoubtedly an exciting, fun, and
uncommon engagement strategy
which has a strong effect on
learners regardless of age,
gender or race.
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6. 10 YEARS OF TEACHING WITH MAGIC
The purpose of this presentation is:
to present the benefits of integrating
magic effects and illusions in the
teaching/learning process
after ten years of:
giving lectures, presentations,
seminars and speeches
in various topics (technology,
computing, business, innovation,
entrepreneurship and many others)
to audiences from ten years old to
fifty years old
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7. BENEFITS OF TEACHING WITH MAGIC
MAGIC can be used to illustrate
many academic concepts
regardless of the level (primary,
secondary or tertiary education)
and regardless of the discipline
(physics, psychology, computer
science, economics, law etc)
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8. BENEFITS OF TEACHING WITH MAGIC
Lecturers emphasize key points in a
lecture. Some use anecdotes to
illustrate main points, others use real-
life examples.
MAGIC can be a fun method to clarify,
visualize and emphasize key points.
Students, ask themselves: “What
does this magic effect teach me?”
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9. BENEFITS OF TEACHING WITH MAGIC
Many studies reveal that a
percentage of students thinks
lectures are monotonous and
sometimes even boring.
MAGIC effects and illusions
injected with humor can break
the monotony of a lecture, make
students more receptive and
engage them in active learning.
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10. BENEFITS OF TEACHING WITH MAGIC
A magician understands human
assumptions. He makes us follow
certain assumptions (misdirection)
which lead us away from the secret of
the magic effect.
In our every day lives we operate and
make decisions based on such
subconscious assumptions.
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11. BENEFITS OF TEACHING WITH MAGIC
If we challenge our
subconscious assumptions,
we may find other paths or
solutions that we never
thought were possible.
Trying to understand MAGIC
effects and illusions greatly
demonstrates this concept.
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12. BENEFITS OF TEACHING WITH MAGIC
Challenging our assumptions
leads us to think differently.
Just like when trying
understand a MAGIC effect:
the obvious things (our
assumptions about what is
going on) are never correct
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13. BENEFITS OF TEACHING WITH MAGIC
Innovation and creativity skills are very
important in today’s world.
The use of MAGIC effects and illusions
in the classroom can foster an
innovative environment in which
students exercise their creativity skills,
pursue innovation, and become more
comfortable with intellectual risk-taking.
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14. BENEFITS OF TEACHING WITH MAGIC
MAGIC can trigger
students’ intellectual
curiosity and imagination.
This is due to the inherent
nature of mystification and
puzzlement that surrounds
MAGIC effects and
illusions.
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15. BENEFITS OF TEACHING WITH MAGIC
It is very important to keep students
engaged and motivated in learning
Being both visual and auditory, MAGIC
effects give a feeling of wonder, fun and
excitement.
Properly connected with taught material,
MAGIC can keep students engaged and
motivated.
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16. BENEFITS OF TEACHING WITH MAGIC
MAGIC effects and
illusions can spark and
sustain students’
energy, excitement,
and love of learning,
and cultivate a thriving
and passionate
community of learners
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17. BENEFITS OF TEACHING WITH MAGIC
The first impression of the teacher
and the material to be presented
are very important.
Learning is more fun when the
environment isn’t too rigid.
MAGIC effects can break the ice
and set the appropriate
atmosphere for each class.
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18. BENEFITS OF TEACHING WITH MAGIC
Student/teacher rapport is an
essential element for effective
teaching since positive rapport
seems to facilitate both student
motivation for learning and their
enjoyment of the course.
MAGIC illusions related to class
material can greatly enhance
student/teacher rapport.
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19. BENEFITS OF TEACHING WITH MAGIC
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20. TEACHING WITH MAGIC. THE COST?
Teaching through Magic Effects
and Illusions does require time,
effort and a lot of practice!
Not only to learn to perform magic
effects and illusions
but also to find the proper ways to
effectively and efficiently integrate
magic in the learning and teaching
process.
BUT IT’S WORTH THE RESULT!
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22. THANOS HATZIAPOSTOLOU
Senior Lecturer, Computer Science Department
CITY COLLEGE - Int. Faculty of the University of Sheffield
Email: hatziapostolou@city.academic.gr
Website: http://www.city.academic.gr/csd/hatziapostolou/
Magician email: emagus.gr@gmail.com
Magician Website: http://www.facebook.com/eMagus.gr