1. Brain Friendly Learning at Kidurong International School

2. Entry Point Think about yourself as a learner. Think of time, place, emotions, alone or with others. When was the last time you learned something new?

3. Explaining the Theme Our Learning Targets for this session:  To know more about Learning  To know more about the Brain and Brain Friendly Learning  To know more about how the IPC, is based on aspects of Brain Friendly Learning.

4. Our Knowledge Harvest What is learning? What do you already know about learning?

5. IPC definition of learning “ Learning is new when we add to that which already exists. Learning is consolidated when, even if nothing new is added, our existing learning becomes more secure and faster. ”

6. Biological process of learning: hard wiring

7.  Neurons are the building blocks of learning.  The more we learn, the more extensive the connections between the neurons, the bigger the neuronal constellations.  The better we learn, the faster those connections operate and work together.  The more the brain learns the more it becomes capable of learning

8.  How do we help the children to make connections in their learning?

9.  Enriched learning environment: wide variety of sensory stimuli  Give the Big Picture  Use mind-maps/clustered thinking in learning (for Knowledge Harvest)  Identify links in (subject) learning  Make connections to previous knowledge, skills and understanding  Revisit and build on previous learning: using Assessment for Learning strategies  Links to learning at home

10. Knowledge Harvest What do you know about the Brain and Brain Friendly Learning?

11. A healthy brain needs ….  Water  Complex carbohydrates (for breakfast)  Sleep  Anti-oxidants  Iron and zinc  Oxygen

12. The Brain  Reptilian brain Ensures ‘ survival ’ : controls routine body functions & instinctive behaviours  Limbic system (mid brain) Deals with the emotions, belief and value systems & long term memory  Neo-cortex Cognitive or thinking area

14. Left/ analytical Right/global

15. Left brain dominated learners prefer: Structured, sequential material & tasks Moving from the parts to the whole Explicit instructions Written information Working in a linear way Right brain dominated learners prefer: Open ended tasks Going from the ‘ big picture ’ to parts Self-selected tasks Working from intuition, guesses and hunches

16. Good states in learning  Curiosity  Interest  Anticipation  Challenge  Relaxed alertness  Motivated  Mental well-being: good self esteem  Physical well-being

17. Flow Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi  When time passes quickly  We have achieved something significant  We have enjoyed the experience Learning takes place most effectively in a state of ‘ relaxed alertness ’

18. Slow thinking “ Hare Brain, Tortoise Mind ” Guy Claxton The brain needs time to work out more complex issues. Some learning will benefit from slow thinking: the process of digesting input information and cementing ideas

19. Learning Styles  The learning styles are about how your brain takes in information  The IPC focuses on V.A.K. Visual, Auditory and Kinaesthetic  We often prefer one learning style over the other  Learning is optimised when learning style is catered for  We need to be aware of our own preferred learning style and how this influences our teaching style

20. IPC Research Tasks (accessing information using the different learning styles)  Using internet and reference books (Relies on good reading and interpretation skills)  Dialogue (parents, peers, teacher, visitors)  Using the community: guest speakers  Observation  Experimenting

21. What is intelligence? “ the ability to operate successfully in your environment ” o Influenced by genetic end environmental factors o Individuals develop intelligence at different rates o No limit to how far intelligence can be developed o Cultural considerations influence what is valued as intelligence

22. Howard Gardner ’ s Multiple Intelligences Word smart Music smart Self smart People smart Nature smart Logic smart Picture smart Body smart “ Consider the all round potential of each individual & actively develop all intelligences ”

23. Howard Gardner ’ s Multiple Intelligences  Linguistic  Musical  Visual/Spatial  Bodily-Kinaesthetic  Naturalist  Logical and Mathematical  Intrapersonal  Interpersonal

24. IPC Recording tasks (processing information using the multiple intelligences)  Mind-map  List  Prose  Diagram  Pictures, sketches and paintings  Graphs  Tables  Role Play  Song  Dance  Construction  Oral presentations (taped)  Discussions  Categorising …

25.  Good sleep, health & diet is important for an effective brain  Relaxed alertness, not stress, is the best state for learning  Pupils need to see the ‘ big picture ’  Learning is about making connections  Provide opportunities for children ’ s different learning styles  Each child has a portfolio of intelligences (Smarts)  WIIFM: What is in it for me? Emotionally rewarding learning is the most effective  Time needs to be created for complex (slow) thinking

26. The IPC  A broad curriculum, making connections between subject learning  Challenging learning: new knowledge, skills and understanding  Offering research tasks, using different Learning Styles  Offering recording tasks, developing Multiple Intelligences  Gives children ownership of learning and raises self esteem (WIIFM), enabling children to engage emotionally in their learning