Contemporary Issues November 3, 2010

Technology Report Presentations Introducing…… 1.Ryan!!!! 2. Isabel!!! Clap! Clap! Clap! Applause!!!!

Experiential Learning Repeated use strengthens brain connections. If connections are not used, they are “pruned” away. The brain “grows itself” for whatever environment it experiences. Most of this experience-based growth occurs in the cortex (the “executive brain”).

Experiences that Strengthen Connections Are frequent, regular, and predictable Occur in the context of a warm, supportive relationship Are associated with positive emotion (fun, excitement, humor, comfort) Involve several senses Are responsive to the child’s interests or initiative

Elements of Brain-Compatible Classrooms Assessment – Timely and specific feedback – Student and peer feedback – Personal reflection – Mistakes a positive part of learning

Elements of Brain-Compatible Classrooms Emotions – Drives attention drives learning – Fun is part of learning – Play is crucial to learning – Positive language

Emotions …emotions are the gatekeepers to the intellect…emotional hooks are necessary for long-term learning; negative emotions can become blocks to learning. Robin Fogarty Brain-Compatible Classrooms

Emotions Emotions have their own pathways or superhighways in our body. They affect brain chemicals which influence Learning and memory

Making Meaning Students need opportunities to Talk Reflect Apply What they are learning.

Learning Modalities Auditory Visual Kinesthetic/Tactile

Multiple Intelligences Linguistic Logical/Mathematical Musical Spatial

Multiple Intelligences Bodykinesthetic Interpersonal Intrapersonal Naturalist

Brain-Body Movement is not a luxury, it is a necessity.

Authentic Assessment Five areas of authentic assessment: – Content (what learners know) – Emotion (how they feel about it) – Context (how they relate it to the world) – Processing (how learners manipulate data) – Embodiment (how deep the learning goes; how learners apply it)

Examples of Authentic Assessment Demonstrations: – Story boards – Theatrical presentations – Model making – Artwork / drawing Multi-media creations An internet newspaper which contains: – Multiple points of view – Expressions of personal interest

Examples of Authentic Assessment Debates Community Projects Commercials / Short films Time lines

That which is learned without pleasure is soon forgotten without regret. (King Arthur)

Multiple Types of Feedback More often and immediately after a mistake More task oriented, not people oriented The more specific the better The brain hunts for feedback to ensure its survival

Types of Feedback Encourage group work, brainstorming, debates Encourage students to use self-assessment techniques Keep student work in a portfolio and refer to progress often Compare learners to themselves, not others Emphasize mastery

Bloom’s Taxonomy Synthesis Comprehension Knowledge

Homework Sign up for web-quest presentations on Wed. WORK on your web-quest research!!!! Read Ramirez Chapters 3, 4, and 5