Edutopia 6 Tips Brain Based Learning Guide PDF
Edutopia 6 Tips Brain Based Learning Guide PDF
Edutopia 6 Tips Brain Based Learning Guide PDF
Suzie Boss
Edutopia blogger and co-author of
Reinventing Project-Based Learning
On Twitter @suzieboss
visit edutopia.org
tip #1
Create a Safe
Climate for
Learning
WHEN STUDENTS ARE FEELING ANXIOUS or fearful, they arent Learn more:
in the mood to learn. Thats because one part of the brain that processes Watch a University of Minnesota
emotionsthe amygdalaresponds to perceived threats by blocking infor- video seminar on the impacts
mation flow to the learning centers of the brain. In laymans terms, stress of stress on learning: http://
www1.umn.edu/ohr/teachlearn
scrambles the learning circuits. To understand more about how the brain /workshops/videos/Stress
responds to stress, read the Edutopia article To Enable Learning, Put andLearning/index.html.
(Emotional) Safety First (http://www.edutopia.org/neuroscience- Watch a lecture by Professor
brain-based-learning-emotional-safety). Claude M. Steele on Identity
Although educators cant overcome every stressor in a childs life, they can and Stereotype Threat:
take practical steps to make the classroom environment more conducive http://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=q1fzIuuXlkk.
to learning. Veteran teacher Linda Lantieri, author of Building Emotional
Intelligence, recommends concrete strategies to help students stay calm and Watch the Edutopia video Five
Keys to Successful Social and
learn to manage their sometimes tumultuous emotions. As she explains in Emotional Learning: http://
an Edutopia interview, The prefrontal cortex of the brain is the area for www.edutopia.org/keys-social-
paying attention, calming, and focusing as well as the area for short- and emotional-learning-video.
long-term memory. So you need to focus in order to connect with your Eric Jensen, author of Teaching
memory. Read more of her interview at http://www.edutopia.org/linda- with Poverty in Mind, shares
lantieri-how-to-relaxation. teaching tips in the post Why
Teach Differently to Those
Morning meetings, developmental discipline, and student leadership from Poverty? http://www.
teams are among the strategies that can foster healthy social and emotional jensenlearning.com/news/
learning. Learn how a school district in Louisville, Kentucky, implemented why-teach-differently-to-those-
strategies to build students emotional health in this Schools That Work from-poverty/teaching-with-
poverty-in-mind#postcomment.
segment: http://www.edutopia.org/stw-jefferson.
Learning environments that keep students highly engaged, that fos-
ter community and family connections, and that consider the needs of
the whole child are the focus of a podcast by The Whole Child from
ASCD. For more ideas, listen to School Environments: Transforming
Learning Spaces (http://whatworks.wholechildeducation.org/podcast/
school-environments-transforming-learning-spaces/).
Encourage
a Growth
Mind-set
ASK STUDENTS TO DESCRIBE
their brain with a metaphor and theyre
likely to suggest a computer, command
center, or maybe a lightning-fast
communications network. But theyd Learn more:
be better off thinking of the brain as a muscle that gets stronger with use. Watch Dr. Norman Doidge's
Researchers now understand that IQ isnt fixed at birth. Just as we get talk on brain plasticity:
more physically fit from exercising, we can build brainpower through the http://www.youtube.com/
act of learning. watch?v=t3TQopnNXBU or
http://fora.tv/2010/09/02/Nor-
Children who adopt what psychologist Carol Dweck calls a growth mind-set man_Doidge_The_Neuroplas-
understand that intelligence isnt fixed but can be developed through effort. ticity_Revolution_An_Update
In Mindset, Dweck explains why students who have a growth mind-set are Listen to an interview on the
more willing to tackle challenges, learn from failure, and see criticism as growth mind-set with Carol
useful feedback rather than a reason to give up. This is the kind of thinking Dweck: http://www.npr.
that keeps students motivated, even when learning is hard work. To learn org/templates/story/story.
php?storyId=7406521. And listen
how Dwecks research can improve the classroom environment, read Milton
to Dweck explain her research
Chens Edutopia post Smart Talking: Tell Students to Feed Their Brains in a series of video segments:
(http://www.edutopia.org/carol-dweck-intelligence-research). http://www.brainology.us/
The good news is that even mind-set isnt fixed. A growth mind-set webnav/videogallery.aspx.
can be learned and reinforced by messages that praise persistence and set Diane Dahl is an elementary
high expectations. For example, help students understand that challenging teacher who regularly applies
assignments will stretch their thinking muscles. At the same time, brain-based learning strategies.
Visit her blog to hear how she
provide them with necessary support so they dont get discouraged.
incorporates thinking about
(Edutopia blogger Rebecca Alber offers suggestions in Six Scaffolding thinking into daily learning
Strategies to Use with Your Students: http://www.edutopia.org/blog/ activities, such as this les-
scaffolding-lessons-six-strategies-rebecca-alber.) son about having students
Curious to learn more? In Mind, Brain, and Education Science, a comprehensive model neural pathways: http://
www.fortheloveofteaching.
guide based on more than 4,500 studies, Tracey Tokuhama-Espinosa pres-
net/2010/10/metacognition-
ents five key concepts on the topic. These (continued on next page) lesson-was-huge-success.html.
Emphasize
Feedback
E D U C AT I O N A L R E S E A R C H E R S H AV E
long stressed the value of feedback for keeping
learning on track. Savvy classroom teachers use a
range of formative assessment strategies to check
in on understanding and address misconceptions
early. Not surprisingly, feedback is a cornerstone of
brain-based learning.
In Mind, Brain, and Education Science, Tokuhama-
Espinosa points out, Great teachers know that
moments of evaluation can and should always
become moments of teaching. That means students
need to know more than whether their answers
were right or wrong. Understanding where
and ho w the y we nt wrong helps stude nts
adjust their thinking so they can improve. Posi-
tive feedback, meanwhile, builds learner confidence. Whether its corrective Learn more:
or affirming, feedback needs to be delivered in a way thats encouraging Read Edutopia blogger Heather
rather than discouraging. Wolpert-Gawrons practical post
And implementing an effective on-the-fly feedback process is whats driving Tips for Grading and Giving
much of the excitement around using video games in classrooms. Neurologist Students Feedback: http://
www.edutopia.org/blog/
turned middle school teacher Judy Willis, MD explains how the dopamine- grading-tips-student-
reward system works, why feedback matters, and what educators can learn feedback-heather-wolpert-
from the achievable challenges of games in her Edutopia post A Neurologist gawron.
Makes the Case for the Video Game Model as a Learning Tool (http:// To help you maximize feedback
www.edutopia.org/blog/video-games-learning-student-engagement- opportunities during projects,
judy-willis). download a copy of the Edutopia
Longtime advocate of brain-based learning Eric Jensen says a wide range of Classroom Guide Top Ten Tips
for Assessing Project-Based
activitiesparticularly peer editingcan deliver the personal and relevant
Learning: http://www.eduto-
feedback students brains need to thrive. In a blog post, he suggests, Use pia.org/10-tips-assessment-
gallery walks, have students build a physical model, provide games with project-based-learning-
competition, implement using an authors chair, small-group discussion, resource-guide.
use audio or video feedback, peer editing, student presentations, hypothesis See a demonstration of peer
building and testing, have students use a checklist, engage them in brain- feedback in the classroom in
storming, compare and contrast work (http://www.jensenlearning.com/ Edutopias video on how to
teach math as a social activity:
news/getting-priorities-right/brain-based-teaching).
http://edutopia.org/math-
A variety of Web 2.0 tools can be used to deliver timely, specific feedback that social-activity-cooperative-
will help students make academic gains. Web2ThatWorks Wiki (http://web2 learning-video.
thatworks.com) is a collaborative space developed by instructional coach
Stephanie Sandifer (@ssandifer on Twitter) where educators share ideas
about technologies that support effective instruction. (http://web2that-
works.wikispaces.com/).
Get Bodies
and Brains
in Gear
DEVELOPMENTAL MOLECULAR BIOLOGIST John Medina, author Learn more:
of Brain Rules, describes himself as a grumpy scientist who demands a Read the American Physiological
gold standard from research before hell pass it along. His No. 1 research- Societys description of the
based rule for brain owners to keep in mind? Exercise boosts brainpower. benefits of exercise on brain health:
Cardio activity increases oxygen-rich blood flow to the brain and increases http://www.the-aps.org/mm/
hp/Audiences/Public-Press/For-
students ability to concentrate. Acknowledging that more study is needed the-Press/releases/11/22.html
to fully understand the relationship between exercise and learning, Medina
argues for incorporating more physical activity into the school daynow. John J. Ratey, MD, author of Spark:
The Revolutionary New Science
For an action-packed example, see how students at Naperville Central High of Exercise and the Brain, shares
School in Illinois combine fitness with academics. Ninth and tenth graders in a videos and articles about exercise
learning readiness program take fitness-based PE before their most challenging and learning on his blog: http://
academic courses (http://www.learningreadinesspe.com). PE teachers johnratey.typepad.com/blog/.
collaborate with academic colleagues to find more opportunities for brain Take multimedia tutorials or
breaks that get students moving during class. Watch a PBS Need to Know listen to an interview with John
episode about the program (http://www.pbs.org/wnet/need-to-know/ Medina at the website http://
www.brainrules.net.
video/a-physical-education-in-naperville-ill/7134/).
For a global look at how young learners are benefiting from physical activity, Visit KaBOOM! for research on
recess, play, and healthy child de-
check out the Learning Landscape Network (http://www.learning
velopment. http://kaboom.org/
landscapenetwork.com/). This open-source community, developed by take_action/play_research.
the nonprofit design firm Project H Design, is collecting creative ideas for
using low-cost play spaces built from discarded tires to develop core subject Watch a TED talk with Project H
founder Emily Pilloton: http://
skills. Originally intended for math instruction, the Learning Landscape www.ted.com/talks/emily_
concept has expanded to include physically active learning games across pilloton_teaching_design_for_
the curriculum. change.html.
Start Early
FORMAL SCHOOLING MAY NOT START until age five, but we all Learn more:
know children are learning long before they begin kindergarten. By reaching Read about the impacts of
out to parents of preschoolers with research and practical information, preschool education from a
schools can help incoming students arrive at school readyand eagerto learn. 25-year longitudinal study:
At Education Nation 2011, an annual summit on education hosted by NBC http://www.sciencedaily
.com/releases/2011/06/110609
News, researchers from the University of Washington shared never-seen- 141556.htm.
before research about what happens in the brain and its 100 billion neurons
during the first 2,000 days of life. Patricia Kuhl and Andrew Meltzoff explained Watch a video about the
importance of early learning,
the importance of a series of images showing how childrens brains change as featuring the Center on
they listen to language, interact with other people, and develop connections. the Developing Child at
Watch the video presentation at Education Nation (go to http://www. Harvard University: http://you-
educationnation.com and search for Patricia Kuhl). tu.be/7Qb3DXY_7fU.
Many states have launched early childhood campaigns to help children Read the New York Times opinion
arrive at kindergarten ready to learn. Less than half the children in Washington, piece Delay Kindergarten at
for example, enter school kindergarten-ready, according to University of Your Childs Peril written by
Sam Wang and Sandra Aamodt,
Washington data, and only a quarter of the lowest-income students start authors of Welcome to Your
school ready to learn. To improve these odds, Washington has launched a Childs Brain: How the Mind
grassroots campaign around the themes Love. Talk. Play. See suggestions Grows From Conception to
for activities that parents can do with their young children at http://www. College: http://www.nytimes.
lovetalkplay.org. com/2011/09/25/opinion/
sunday/dont-delay-your-
Whats really happening when babies play? Psychology professor Alison kindergartners-start.html.
Gopnik, author of The Philosophical Baby, answers that question with some
surprising answers in her TED talk What do babies think?: http://www.ted.
com/talks/alison_gopnik_what_do_babies_think.html.
Embrace
the Power
of Novelty
WHEN WE ENCOUNTER NEW
information, the brain quickly goes into
pattern-recognition mode. If it reminds
us of something weve encountered
before, we know how to respond. But what
happens when the new information doesnt
fit with existing understanding? Thats
when the brain really gets excited. The
brain doesnt just detect new information
it craves novelty.
As Judy Willis, MD explains in How Your Child Learns Best, a part of the Learn more:
brain called the reticular activating system (RAS) filters incoming stimuli, Skype in the Classroom
deciding which information to trust to autopilot and what deserves our full offers educators a way to add
attention. Surprise and novelty are the attention-grabbers. In the classroom, novelty at no cost through
this means that changing routines, asking students to consider similarities videoconferencing. Join this
global educator community and
and differences, field trips, and guest visitors all help to keep learning fresh. connect your students with new
In an article for Scholastic, psychiatrist and child trauma expert Bruce faces from around the world:
Perry explains why repetitive classroom activities, such as lectures or http://education.skype.com/.
worksheets, inhibit the brains craving for novelty and can interfere with Field trips add novelty, but at
learning. Only four to eight minutes of pure factual lecture can be tolerated a cost that many schools cant
before the brain seeks other stimuli, either internal (e.g., daydreaming) or afford. Read this Edutopia article
about virtual field trips to find
external (Who is that walking down the hall?). If the teacher is not providing
out how to expand your students
that novelty, the brain will go elsewhere, he writes in How the Brain Learns world on a budget: http://www.
Best. (For more of his advice for teachers, visit http://teacher.scholastic. edutopia.org/virtual-field-trips.
com/professional/bruceperry/.) Inquiry-based curriculum can
Integrating a robust arts program is one way educators can capture also bring new energy to class.
student curiosity and keep them engaged. According to a recent landmark Check out the sample assignments
report from the Presidents Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, the from Quest to Learn, an innovative
New York school that addresses
benefits of studying the arts go far beyond enrichment. Reinvesting in Arts
serious academic goals through
EducationWinning Americas Future Through Creative Schools found that a a challenging standards-based
high-quality program can improve student engagement, focus attention, curriculum via game building,
heighten educational aspirations, and increase intellectual risk taking. scientific experiments, and a
Download a copy from http://www.pcah.gov/. myriad of other activities: http://
q2l.org/summer-assignments.
And planning inquiry-driven projects that connect to students interests
will boost the engagement factor and cut down on boredom, which is actually
a stressor for young brains. Willis explains why in the video interview Big
Thinkers: Judy Willis on the Science of Learning (http://www.edutopia.
org/big-thinkers-judy-willis-neuroscience-learning-video).
Step Build
1 YOUR UNDERSTANDING
Step Craft
Before diving into project design, you may want to 2 A COMPELLING
build your own background knowledge about how DRIVING QUESTION
to integrate brain study across the curriculum.
Increasing brain-science literacy is something Plan your project with a driving question
that will benefit students of all ages, according to that will set the stage for deep learning.
Michaela Labriole, science instructor at New York Crafting the right question for your
Hall of Science. In Cerebrum, she makes a strong project will depend on grade level,
case for why K-12 teachers should integrate brain- subject area, and important learning
related topics in the classroom. Online resources goals. It should be open-ended
and classroom activity suggestions help get you enough so that students cant easily
started (http://www.dana.org/news/cere- Google an answer and sufficiently
brum/detail.aspx?id=28896). intriguing to grab their attention.
Neurologist and former teacher Judy Willis (Remember: The brain craves novelty.)
describes how her elementary and middle school For example: How can we develop a
students benefited from studying the brain in an brain owners manual?
article for Educational Leadership. She explains, Depending on students ages and
When I began incorporating basic instruction interests, this open-ended question
about the brain into my classes and teaching simple could lead them to investigate sleep
activities to improve brain processing, students habits for healthy brains, how athletes
not only became more engaged and confident, but can avoid head injuries, strategies to
they also began changing their study practices in improve long-term memory, how to
ways that paid off in higher achievement. Read her inspire more creative thinking, how
article How to Teach Students About the Brain to be smart about taking risks, and a
(http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational wide range of other topics.
-leadership/dec09/vol67/num04/How-to-
Teach-Students-About-the-Brain.aspx).
(continued on next page)
How People Learn: Brain, mind, experience, Mind, Brain, and Education:
and school: Expanded Edition. Neuroscience implications for the classroom.
By J.D. Bransford, A.L. Brown & R.R. Cocking (2000) By D. Sousa (Ed.) (2010)
Washington, DC: National Academy Press. Bloomington, IN: Solution Tree Press.
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