5E Learning Model

The 5E Model is a Tool that helps Guide the Learning Process to make it more Efficient.

 

Its aim is to Approach the Learning Process in a more Engaging way, Exploring the Topics and gaining a Deeper Understanding.

 

To do so, it proposes that any Successful Learning Process follows these 5 Steps:

• Engage.
• Explore.
• Explain.
• Elaborate.
• Evaluate.

These Steps can be Repeated in a in a Continuous-Improvement Learning Cycle.

1. Engage: The Subject to be learned must be Approached in an Attractive way.

• We all like to Study the things that Interest us.

 

2. Explore: The Topic must be Deeply Explored to Discover all its Secrets.

• Finding unexpected and fascinating new Knowledge.

 

3. Explain: Apply the New Acquired Knowledge to Explain Something.

• Now, certain Problems or Phenomena will be Understood.

 

4. Elaborate: Make Predictions about other current or future Situations.

• The Knowledge acquired has to be used in more Areas.

 

5. Evaluate: Evaluate if the Learning Process has been Successful and Effective.

• Highlighting what can be improved for the Next time.

 

These Steps can be repeated in a cycle to Continually Improve the Overall Learning Process.

 

5E Learning Model.

 

Before looking at some examples, we want to talk about something.

 

If you have Studied Science, you may have noticed certain Similarities between this model and the Scientific Method.

• At least, in its last 4 Steps.

 

Have you ever wondered how Science has been so Successful in recent decades?

• The Reason is the Scientific Method.

The Scientific Method Relies on (briefly):

• Observe.
• Research.
• Develop a Hypothesis.
• Evaluate it.
• Repeat the Cycle.

 

If you look closely, the 5E Model is based on the same Principle:

• Study a Certain Topic Deeply.
• Understand and Make Predictions.
• Evaluate How the Process was.
• Repeat the Cycle if Necessary.

 

So, if Applied Correctly, the 5E Method can be to “Learning” what the Scientific Method is to Science.

Now, we’ll share some Useful examples with you:

We have chosen 4 Examples of different situations in which the 5E Learning Method can be of great help.

 

You will see how this Method can help you Improve in different Areas.

 

Imagine that you are going to be promoted to Manager.

But, you are a bit worried because you have to learn lot of New things:

• How to Manage People.
• How the hierarchy of the Company works.
• The tasks you’ll have to Manage.
• etc.

 

You then decide to Apply the 5E Method.

How?

 

• Engage: You are very Motivated to become a Successful Manager.
  • So you don’t need any Motivational Boost.

 

• Explore: You decide to spend a week with another Manager.
  • In this way, you will discover everything that this Position implies.

 

• Explain: You then Find out what seems to be the most Important.
  • What makes a good Manager a good Manager.

 

• Elaborate: Then, you create a Management Philosophy for yourself.
  • A philosophy, predicting what will work.

 

• Evaluate: One month after being promoted, you test your Philosophy.
  • And, if necessary, modify the way you Manage.

 

Were you a good Student?

Do you remember those days, trying to Study… But without achieving anything?

 

If you’ve ever loved a Subject, you’ve surely Mastered it.

• In fact, the best grades are always obtained in the subjects we love.

 

Why?

Lets use the 5E Method to Understand why this Happen:

 

• Engage: When you love a Subject you don’t feel obliged to Study it.
  • You just do it without any effort.

 

• Explore: When you Love a Subject, you Study it more than you should.
  • Learning much more than what is expected of you.

 

• Explain: Once you are well informed, you find Explanations easily.
  • The more you Study it, the easier the Explanations seem to be.

 

• Elaborate: When you love a topic, you use it to Predict many things.
  • We use it to find explanations for almost everything.

 

• Evaluate: When we love a Subject, we care about our Learning Process.
  • We assess whether we could have Learned more than we did.

 

We explained the Links between the 5E Model and the Scientific Method before.

 

But, we want to make you think about this:

• What did all Super Geniuses like Newton, Einstein, Heisenberg… Have in common?
  • Besides having an Outstanding Intelligence.

 

• Engage: They spent their entire life learning about what they Loved.
  • They were very intelligent but also dedicated to their passion.

 

• Explore: They Researched their Topics to the Extreme.
  • They explored all Possible Approaches.

 

• Explain: They Explained certain Phenomenons in a New way.
  • Einstein, understood the Gravity by using Riemannian Geometry.

 

• Elaborate: Then, they used their New Theories to explain other things.
  • Differential Calculus (Newton and Leibniz) was used for… Everything.

 

• Evaluate: They constantly put their Theories to the Test.
  • Improving their Investigations and Conclusions obtained.

 

And their Success is unquestionable.

 

* We focus on Scientists, because I know more about them.

• But this could be applied to Philosophers, Painters, Music Composers, etc.
• We could say the same about:
  • J. S. Bach.
  • Shakespeare.
  • Picasso.
  • Kant.
  • etc.

 

Do you have a hobby that requires certain Skills to enjoy it?

For example:

• Tennis.
• Surf.
• Any Music Instrument.
• etc.

 

Let’s imagine that you want to Play Violin.

It is an Instrument to which, either you dedicate “some” time, or you will not enjoy it.

• It sounds terrible if you don’t have a certain level.

 

What is the only way to Learn to Play violin?

• As I personally play the violin, I speak from my own personal experience.

 

• Engage: You must Love Violin… Or Be forced to Practice.
  • Specially, in the beginning.

 

• Explore: You have to Explore the Violin, its Different Techniques, etc.
  • Some of them are much more difficult than others.

 

• Explain: This can mean, Understanding How to Interpret a Piece.
  • It is not the same to play Bach or Mozart.

 

• Elaborate: You can Use the New Skills acquired to Master New Pieces.
  • Once you Master Chords, you can Try (yes… try) playing Bach Partitas.

 

• Evaluate: If you want to Improve, you have to Test your Skills.
  • Recording yourself, With your Teacher, etc.

 

* This is extremely over-simplistic, we are aware of it.

• But think about it: Either you really Love Violin, its different techniques, Composers…
  • Or you will never be able to play anything.

 

Well… You need that, and Practice 40 hours a day.

• If you Follow Two-Set Violin (YouTube Channel) you know what I mean.