The Story so far.........
The Immersion Room was created by Jennifer Umezu. Jennifer is a primary school teacher, who has had the privilege to teach in Japan and Australia. As a Grade four teacher in 2012, Jennifer was assigned the task to find an “interactive” incursion program to enhance the middle sub school students’ learning of Asia. She struggled to find such a program. After much searching, Jennifer settled on a company that provided an Asian “performer” to “entertain” the students. Besides the six volunteers who were fortunate enough to actually touch and experience the props for several minutes, the rest of the one hundred strong group were left to admire from afar.
Although the students enjoyed the hour long show, there was no opportunity for them to personally explore and relate the show to their own learning in the classroom. This less than favourable experience led to the birth of The Immersion Room.
Jennifer’s aim is to provide each student with the opportunity to learn through doing, touching and wondering. “As educators, it is our role to ignite interest in our student’s hearts and minds, The Immersion Room aims to achieve this. Students will be immersed in a variety of authentic activities in an environment that stimulates curiosity and enjoyment.
Although the students enjoyed the hour long show, there was no opportunity for them to personally explore and relate the show to their own learning in the classroom. This less than favourable experience led to the birth of The Immersion Room.
Jennifer’s aim is to provide each student with the opportunity to learn through doing, touching and wondering. “As educators, it is our role to ignite interest in our student’s hearts and minds, The Immersion Room aims to achieve this. Students will be immersed in a variety of authentic activities in an environment that stimulates curiosity and enjoyment.
An old Chinese proverb sums up The Immersion Room’s philosophy:
I hear, I forget;
I see, I remember;
I do, I understand.
I hear, I forget;
I see, I remember;
I do, I understand.
