Of Tidal Pools, Monterey Bay Aquarium, and Immersive Learning

Meaningful learning enhances our understanding of our world. We’re surrounded by learning opportunities—whether in the classroom, workplace, historic landmarks, cultural centers, nature preserves, or even in unexpected places. We just need to immerse in the flow of the experience. 

In 2008, my dad and stepmom surprised me and my brother at Christmas. They bought us plane tickets for the next spring to visit our stepsister nannying for a family in the San Francisco Bay area. A memorable day spent without an itinerary left a lasting impression on me.

A journey down the Pacific Coast

As we neared the end of our trip, we exhausted the city’s tourist attractions (and a few off the beaten trail), Muir Woods, and surrounding countryside. Our brother recently started an aquarium, so we decided to drive down the Pacific Highway to visit Monterey Bay Aquarium.

With the whole day to explore, we stopped at a roadside beach to stretch our legs. Water lapped at the rocky shore while birds called to each other. The ocean air mingled with the late morning sun—much warmer than home in snowy Michigan. My sister and I chatted as we followed our brother toward the ocean. He jumped down a ridge of rocks, suddenly much shorter than us. 

“Hey, you have to see this,” our brother called as he dipped to look at something. 

At the ridge, we saw what he’d found. When the ocean retreats with the tide, water lingers in the coast—leaving a habitat of tidal pools unaffected by the ebb and flow of the ocean. I lowered my legs down the rough surface to join him.

A variety of rocky crevices lay exposed in the sun. We stood on rocks slick with algae, peering into worlds of water nestled at our feet. Crabs scuttled across the floor of the tidal pool. Tiny fish darted behind sea plants. Creatures I couldn’t name ignored us as we observed the ecosystems of each pool.

We explored the beach for some time, mingling with strangers to share our discoveries. Finally, we returned to the van to continue the journey to the aquarium.

An afternoon at Monterey Bay Aquarium 

Monterey Bay Aquarium stands on the site of an old cannery overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The industrial white walls and black-framed windows strike a contrast against the deep blue sky. The building’s expansive interior echoes with muffled conversation. From its oceanside decks, you can observe the wildlife living in the bay.

We meandered as childless twenty-somethings, pausing to read the signs explaining the exhibits (a habit from vacations with our parents). We watched the sea otters play, jetting through the water before running ashore (only to return to the water again). We saw tank after tank of fish, eel, turtles, anemones, barnacles, star fish, sea horses, stingray, and more. The Rocky Shore Touch Pool reminded me of the tidal pools we encountered earlier that morning. The narrow, winding pool invites you to gently touch the tidal inhabitants—which we intuitively avoided at the rocky Pacific shore. 

The living kelp forest mesmerized me. Fish dart between the leaves as the plants sway in a meditation of underwater eddies. In one dark tank, a red octopus moved soundlessly across the glass. Most of all, I cannot forget the stunning magic of the jellyfish room. The vibrant jellyfish glow orange as they float in the deep, vivid blue of the water. You feel immersed, floating outside of time beneath the endless sea.

Designing immersive learning experiences

Maybe you’ve gotten lost in a similar a experience. Immersive experiences encourage learners to explore and discover, the topic expanding with the learner’s interest. As a designer, consider some ways to make learning flexible and self-directed:

• Tell a story: As I’ve previously shared on Model eLearning, humans developed to learn from stories. Stories help us make meaning and shape our understanding of the world.
• Make it memorable: Moments that matter stick in our memory long after a high-stakes test.
• Mimic real life: When learners see how concepts apply to their lives, they’re able to transfer learning to other contexts.
• Create a path: Immersive learning should allow learners to wander with purpose—enough to motivate learners to continue down a learning path that interests them. Provide signposts to guide the way.
• Encourage community learning: Even the brief moments we spend with others impact our lives. Encourage learners to come beside each other (even momentarily) to learn with their peers, colleagues, coworkers, family, friends, or even strangers.

A memorable, immersive learning experience

While my brother, sister, and I didn’t plan to stumble upon the tidal pools, the seamless flow between the encounter and aquarium left a lasting impression. 

I didn’t leave the aquarium as knowledgeable as a marine biologist (or ready to answer a test). But I left with a sense of wonder—and the experience lingers as I make meaning in the world.

Have you experienced immersive learning in an unexpected space? What stuck with you about the experience?

Reference

Bishop, J. (2019, May 28). Learning from Stories. Model eLearning.