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 theintellect…emotional hooks arenecessary for long-term learning;negative emotions can become blocksto learning.

Robin FogartyBrain-Compatible Classrooms

Emotions

Emotions have their own pathways orsuperhighways in our body. They affect brain chemicals

which influence Learning and memory

Making Meaning

Students need opportunities to

TalkReflectApply

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