Module 3 Unit 1 Activity 3
Application of Brain
Based Learning to Teach Digital Learners
What is
brain based learning? It is how we engage strategies based on how our brain
works (Jensen, 2014).
There are
twelve principles that contribute to brain based learning.
The first
one states that our brain is a parallel processor and that it can process more
than one activity at a time (Wilson, 2013). It states that many factors attribute
to our ability to learn.
Principle
two states that learning involves the whole body, and that physical moment and overall
health is very important in order for us to acquire new information.
The third principle
states that the pursuit for meaning is instinctive and that it is within all of
us.
Principle
four says that the search for meaning arises through patterns and finding those
patterns.
The fifth
principle declares that emotions are important to learning patterns. Emotions stimulate us to acquire more
knowledge.
The sixth
one says that every brain concurrently observes and produces parts as one and
not as a separate right or left brain.
Principle
seven says that obtain new information includes being focused and exterior awareness.
We learn from information we are both placing our attention in, and also the
extra information that our senses are taking in simultaneously.
The eighth
principle announces that learning comprises both conscious and unconscious
interactions. We acquire a lot of information and stimulus, and our brain is
soaking and deciphering it all.
The ninth
one says that we have two types of memories which is spatial learning and one
that helps us learn via repetition or memorization.
The tenth
principle says that the mind comprehends and recalls better when details and
skills are placed in natural spatial memory.
The
penultimate one states that learning improves when there is a challenge, but
that it recedes with feelings of threat.
The last one
states that each individual brain is different to all the rest and that all
learning styles are different (Sonoma County, 2013).
What is
EdTech? It is the practice of making learning and instruction easier by using
technological means.
As educators
moving towards the future, we are now in the information age where technology
is very prevalent in our daily lives and we can see that it is having a huge
impact in education.
Combining
brain-based learning and technology to teach our digital learners is a powerful
way to help our students not only retain more knowledge, but also to be able to
process, analyze, and evaluate things on their own.
One of the principles
we can apply is principle number three combined with number ten. We all have an
innate search for meaning (Sonoma, 2013) and we see this in our young learners
every day. From the day they are born, they are curious finding new ways to
explore objects, people, facial expressions, etc. Even nowadays when parents
give their children an object such as a cellphone with a new app, they
intuitively know how to use it and if they don’t, they learn for a way to do
so. There are innumerous was where educators can apply this principle into their
classrooms combined with technology. One such example is using smartphones or
computers to so many extents. Young learners can have these tools to look for
information on a project, educational games or apps, and even for using basic
tools that have transferred to a technological interface, such as a dictionary
on smartphones.
A practical
implementation that can be used straightway is a picture scavenger hunt. Taking
into account that 100 percent of my students have a smartphone, when I teach a
unit on directions, I usually have a Prezi presentation to explain prepositions
of locations such next to, behind, in front of, across, etc. After I finish
with my explanation, I have a list of landmarks that are around the school
grounds. I put my students with a partner and they have to find these landmarks
and take a picture of themselves with it according to the preposition of
location provided on the list. For example the list will state to take a
picture between the lion statues. After they finish the list of 15-20
landmarks, they come back to the class and show me the picture on their
smartphone, with a sentence describing the picture. An example of that would
be, “I am between the lion statues.”
Another
principle that I use in combination of technology is principle number five in
combination with number eight. Emotions are important in acquiring more
knowledge and conscious or unconscious stimuli are very important in learning.
One activity I have is a thematic lesson that helps students learn about their
end goals and means goals. The lesson is prepared using the computer, projector
and speakers, in a Prezi presentation. I go through the definition of means
goals first, and they get to write a list of their means goals, and afterwards
we define end goals, where they also write down a list for this section too. I
go through each part of it step by step with my students but I discovered that
including inspirational music during my presentation really made my students encouraged
to write their true feelings, and motivations. It is a very powerful exercise
but I would not have been able to complete this without my digital tools.
The last principles
that I want to touch upon is the first and the eleventh principle, which state
that our brains can process more than one activity at the same time and that
learning improves when there is a challenge, but that it is inhibited by threat
(Sonoma, 2013). When performing any lesson with students, using any kind of
program, application, or tech tool, the first thing I make sure of is that they
are clear on the instructions and tasks and also that they fully understand
what they are going to learn. Afterwards, I explain how to use the tech tool for
this lesson. If something was unclear, the student will not learn the content,
but instead be inhibited by not being able to use the tool.
References:
Boss, S. (2011, January 1). Six Tips for
Brain-Based Learning. . Retrieved June 20, 2014, from http://www.fcps.edu/cco/prc/resources/documents/edutopia6tipsbrainbasedlearningguide.pdf
Jensen, E. (2014, January
1). Brain-Based Learning Strategies. FEAweb.
Retrieved June 18, 2014, from http://feaweb.org/brain-based-learning-strategies
Sonoma County Department
of Education. The Talking Page Literacy Organization - The Twelve Principles
for Brain-Based Learning. (2013, January 1). The
Talking Page Literacy Organization - The Twelve Principles for Brain-Based
Learning. Retrieved June 18, 2014, from http://www.talkingpage.org/artic011.html
Wilson, L. O. (2013,
January 1). Brainbased Education - An Overview - The Second Principle. The Second Principle. Retrieved
June 18, 2014, from http://thesecondprinciple.com/optimal-learning/brainbased-education-an-overview/
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