By Shaquille Barrett 
Let’s be real for a second: when was the last time you actually looked forward to sitting through a Maths or Science lesson? Where that feeling of dread didn’t come about just because the class was scheduled at the wrong time, or the classroom was too hot, but because the content made you want to pull your hair out? Now, let me guess—your idea of “fun learning” didn’t involve writing pages of notes while the teacher talked at you like a broken record. That’s because we all know that real learning happens when you’re not just sitting there, passively absorbing information like a sponge that has nowhere to squeeze.
Here’s the thing: our classrooms in Jamaica have, for a while now, been stuck in a cycle of passive learning. Teachers stand in front of the class, talk until the bell rings, and students—bless their hearts—survive the ordeal by counting the minutes until they can escape. While technology’s been promised to “revolutionize” education, and rightfully so, the equipment is yet to be delivered and most of our classrooms still feel like they’re stuck in a time warp. But what if I told you there’s a way to break this endless loop and make learning exciting again? Spoiler alert: It’s not through more projectors or purchasing the school’s second smart board, but rather by taking a little of the essence of that kind of learning that worked before technology was the supposed savior. It’s through hands-on learning—yes, actual hands-on, tangible engagement that gets students involved, curious, and excited about what they’re learning. And especially in a context such as ours, where fundamental deficiencies are present, that’s the only way I see us building the foundational conceptual understanding our learners require, before we look to throw them in the deep end. Simply put, they shouldn’t be getting too abstract too quickly.
The Problem with Passive Learning
Let’s talk about what’s wrong with passive learning—apart from the fact that it often makes students want to fall asleep on the spot. The biggest issue here is that students aren’t really engaged. When you’re being lectured to, you’re essentially just a passive participant, and the information doesn’t really stick. Learning then becomes, for instance, you trying to memorize lyrics to a song you don’t even like. Sure, you’ll remember a few lines, but once the song’s over, it’s gone from your memory as if it never existed. But when students actively do something—whether it’s solving a problem, competing against a peer in an educational game, creating a project, or testing out a concept—they’re not just hearing about it, they’re living it. They’re figuring things out, making mistakes along the way, being course-corrected instantly by their peers and learning through those experiences. You know, like when you were a child, and your parents sat you on a mat, gave you some blocks, or a deck of cards or pack of dominoes to “build something.” As soon as you built something, it would come crashing down. It was chaos, but it was fun, right? And you learned something too; you would have appreciated the need to have a proper foundation, for example. That’s what active, hands-on learning does: it makes students feel like they’re in control, discovering things for themselves.
So, Why Doesn’t This Happen More Often?
We could point fingers all day. Disinterested, and oftentimes disrespectful, students? Large class sizes? Lack of resources in classrooms? Incessant focus on curriculum coverage over conceptual understanding? Maybe it’s the unrealistic expectations placed on both students and teachers who consequently suffer from work overload. But let’s face it: all of that gets in the way of creating learning environments where students can truly thrive. As much as we like to talk about technology and innovation, if you’re sitting in a classroom with no resources, relying on a teacher who’s overwhelmed by the number of students and the endless curriculum demands, a hands-on, engaging experience isn’t just hard to achieve—it’s practically impossible.
But what if there were a solution? What if there were ways to create engaging, hands-on learning that worked within the limitations we currently face? Well, that’s where TANGENT comes in.
What TANGENT Brings to the Table
You might be wondering, “How can we make this work in a classroom with limited resources?” It’s not magic, it’s just practical, tangible, hands-on learning. TANGENT is focused on bringing back the joy of learning through interactive, skill-based activities. We’re not here to promise you shiny tech gadgets with internet over-reliance and no learning software subscriptions; instead, we’re offering materials that are designed to make learning work in classrooms, no matter how many resources you’ve got.
Our bespoke courses, whether delivered online or in-person, tackle foundational skills like literacy, numeracy, and problem-solving—all through engaging, hands-on activities that make learning stick. Whether it’s providing games, puzzles and worksheet activities built around foundational skills to boost engagement and enjoyment, we’re here to make sure that every student is active and engaged in their learning process. And let’s not forget about the teachers. Through our workshops, we’ll give educators the tools they need to facilitate this kind of learning in their classrooms. After all, no teacher should feel like they’re flying blind when trying to spark curiosity in their students.
The Takeaway
So, here’s the million-dollar question: How long are we going to keep sending our children to classrooms where the best they can hope for is to survive the lecture? Where the most engaging thing about the lesson is the occasional classroom disruption? Or is it that we’re ok with that, so long as school continues to function as a daycare center for us working professionals? It’s time to rethink how we approach education. It’s time to bring back hands-on, practical learning that makes students feel alive and curious.
At TANGENT, we’re bringing that change. We’re challenging the status quo and creating solutions that work within Jamaica’s reality; a reality wherein the tech which is profligate in affluent jurisdictions remains elusive.
We’re not saying technology doesn’t have a place. Sure, when it’s available and when done right, it can enhance the experience. But the reality is, we’re working with what we’ve got — and what we’ve got is creativity, resourcefulness, and a little bit of elbow grease. TANGENT’s courses and teaching materials focus on giving students the tools they need to actively engage with the subject matter, regardless of whether there’s a shiny new tablet or not. And let’s face it, students remember more when they do something, not when they just listen to someone talk all day.
How long can we afford to keep doing the same thing and expecting different results? The time for change is now, and TANGENT is here to lead the way.