As a kid, I believed in magic. I would watch in awe as magicians pulled cards from nowhere or opened the curtains to reveal a huge airplane hidden from view moments before.
That was until I watched a documentary years ago. It featured a magician, who revealed the secrets behind many well-known illusions, breaking the age-old code to never reveal your tricks.
I distinctly remember him lying flat in a case. The top of the box, covered in sharp nails, closed tightly, with the nails protruding on the other side. It seemed totally impossible for him to come out unscathed. And yet he did. He then revealed a very narrow space, just big enough to curl into, safely out of reach of the nails.
Of course. It wasn’t real magic. It was a trick.
I still love watching magicians! In fact, I enjoy it even more now. Instead of sitting back and being wowed, I pay close attention to details. I observe, notice, think, and analyze. I become a part of the experience.
As an experiential educator who loves the magic of learning, I’d like to reveal a secret: I used to think good teachers performed for their students, like a magician wows a crowd. But I’ve since realized that real learning is about inviting the students behind the curtain and building the wonder together. That’s where the real magic lives.
