Entertaining teaching and studying techniques will be the focus of an exciting new evening class to be held at Forth Valley College’s Falkirk Campus starting in early March.
‘Using More than Just Words’ – is a series of six bespoke workshop training sessions created by the innovative and critically acclaimed Dekko Comics owner Rossie Stone.
He is ready to show his adult students – from professional teachers and lecturers to those studying for exams and even curious parents - how using comic strips, music, rhyme, rap and a ball throwing game can enhance teaching, lecturing, presentations, studying and basic learning.
Through revealing ways of how to communicate differently, the Glasgow based artist is aiming to help an audience retain information more effectively and make imparting complex lessons a bit more accessible.
In a series of six evening workshops every Thursday from 5 March-30 April (6-8pm) , -there are no classes during Easter break on 9/4/20 or 16/4/20 - Dekko will show that communication is more than the words we use, and will show how to deliver messages in a variety of simple but effective ways, using storytelling, visualisation, presentation layout, relatability, and fun.
Rossie himself overcame dyslexia which hampered him attaining high grades at school, going on to study animation at Duncan of Jordanston University in Dundee. With his BA Art and Design he moved on to Leeds School of Art in 2014 and an Artist in Residency and teaching role.
However, it was not long (2016) before he started his own company – Dekko Comics - educational comics that turn the school curriculum content from age 9-12, into engaging comic strips, smashing motivational barriers – such as dyslexia and autism - to reading and learning, making education more accessible and encouraging reluctant readers to read more, increasing their engagement and learning retention.
Rossie, said: “I use entertainment as a tool to make teaching and studying more effective and fun. I will identify the strengths of those who attend the course to develop personalised teaching techniques that will enhance their presentation skills. We will be using more than words to do this and I can’t wait to meet my new students at Forth Valley College’s Falkirk Campus.
“I remember working trying to study for an exam when in fifth year at school and no matter how hard I tried I could not retain very much information. I thought to myself that if I’m going to study hard and fail anyway I might as well enjoy it, so I turned my studying notes into comic strips and got an ‘A’, a mark I had never received before.
“I have really enjoyed my journey with Dekko Comics and my workshops so far and look forward to going from strength to strength in the future. It is amazing to find out from parents that my comics – which have nearly sold 10,000 copies across the UK, USA, Australia, Finland, China, and Ireland and can cover everything from maths and English to history and science – can help children to enjoy reading, become good at maths and even tell the time!”
Dekko Comics and Rossie Stone has been featured on BBC News, STV, BBC Radio Scotland, Radio 4, and TEDX Talks. In 2016 Dekko Comics won the Young Edge Award, and was a finalist for the Scottish Edge Award in 2017. It won the SME Award in 2017, and Rossie was nominated for the National Diversity Awards in 2018. One of the comics made by Dekko won the CCF Award in 2018, where the theme was Climate Change. Dekko Comics has also come to the attention of several big publishing companies for its innovative approach to education.
Click here to book a place on the ‘Using More than Just Words’ course – at a cost of £80 for the block or alternatively e-mail eveninginfo@forthvalley.ac.uk or call 01324 403123.
To view all courses available on the FVC website visit https://www.forthvalley.ac.uk/ways-to-study/evening/
