...Failing Schools: A New Approach Elizabeth Thorup PSY: 370 Learning and the Brain Kelly Wells October 3, 2011 Education has always been considered to be a process where important information is transmitted to students by an educator. It has always been the main focus of schools to develop a curriculum that enables the educator to do this. The curriculum is based upon what we as a society see as important topics to develop students into productive successful adults. In some cases, this way of thinking has merit; however, it is not successful for many types of students. Testing students to see what level of intelligence they possess is often inaccurate, and reaching out to students that have different perspectives of learning that may be more creative or just different than the average person is a very important matter to consider when developing a strategy to teach and present the curriculum. Schools that often have very low test scores and are considered unsuccessful or failing for that matter could benefit greatly by adjusting their teaching methods into more brain based learning. Schools today are often based upon ideas or curriculum that is very old fashioned. New methods are rarely explored. Most of this is due to expense, but by bettering the education system of today, it is much more likely that future generations will become more productive and happy thriving adults which will in turn better the future for everyone. This is an investment that should not be taken...
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...Brain Based Learning For many years science and education have concentrated on learning and the mind, but today’s neuroscientists and educators are seeing learning from a different scope – the brain. From this viewpoint, learning is creating links – by linking the information in which the student has prior knowledge or interest, the student is able to expand upon this and learn something else which he can relate it to. For example, in a history class when discussing Native Americans, a teacher may ask the students relate prior information they have on Native Americans. This can come from personal experiences - like seeing a burial ground, or finding an arrowhead; it can even be a movie the student relates it to. By doing this the teacher is making a personal connection between prior information the student has already attained and processed, and linking it to the information to be discussed in the class (Slavin, 2009) . Another learning stimulus that creates a learning link would finding something the student is interested in. This can be illustrated in the same scenario – students in the southern states often find Indian relics in their own backyards, piquing their interest in what happened right where they stood hundreds of years ago. By linking the information in which they have a personal interest with the information taught, once again a connection in learning within the brain is created (Watts, 2009). Importance of Meaningful Learning Innately the...
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...processes, and interests of the students. The environment that a student may have been exposed to, or the way the a student's brain works can both disrupt and interfere with the material they are trying to learn. At the same time, though, learning cannot occur without having prior knowledge. This establishes the foundation from which to build. Past experiences, student interests, and present learning are all intertwined. As we learn, we look back at those previous experiences and memories, and make connections with what we are currently learning. Taking student's past experiences and incorporating them into lesson plans makes them more appealing and interesting to the students. Past experiences aid in adding new knowledge on top of prior knowledge. While past experiences and student interests are just one of the factors that influence learning, teachers also have an equal influence. Teachers have to be diverse in their methods to maintain student interest. If they don't, maximum results will not be achieved, and students will not maintain focus which can lead to bigger issues such as disruptions. When students have a foundation to build on, they tend to learn faster as opposed to just throwing random bits of information at them. There are six key principles in brain based learning. The first is the Importance of meaningful learning, otherwise known as the Schema Theory. The Schema theory is the “mental processing of new information that relates to previously...
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...1. Read the article Six Tips for Brain Based Learning. Describe two of the tips that you found useful and explain how you might apply them to the classroom. One of the tips that I found useful for applying in the classroom is creating a safe climate for learning. I am working towards becoming a physical education teacher and having a safe climate is very important. There are many safety factors that go along with physical education. For example, proper clothing, good playing surface and making sure no one hurts each other. However, there is another form of creating a safe climate for learning. That is making sure students are engaged in learning. Physical education can be tricky. We all remember the kids who would just sit in the corner of our PE class never engaged in the activities. As a teacher, our emphasize is to have everyone engage and by doing so we need to create a safe climate for learning. Another tip that I will find useful in a classroom is emphasizing feedback. When showing children, a certain skill it is very important to provide them critical feedback. Without feedback students will not...
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...Running Head: PERCEPTIONS OF BRAIN-BASED LEARNING 2 Brain-based learning theory has devised a new discipline known by some as educational neuroscience, or by others as mind, brain, and education science (Duman, 2010). It is a broad and comprehensive approach to instruction using current research from neuroscience. Brain-based education emphasizes the manner in which the brain learns naturally and is based on what is currently known about the structure and function of the human brain. This theory is a concept that includes an eclectic mix of teaching techniques. BBL practices call for teachers to connect learning to students’ real lives and emotional experiences, as well as combining strategies like problem based and mastery learning and considers learning styles of individual students. Opponents of brain-based learning strategies argue that neuroscience alone cannot provide usable knowledge that translates into positive teaching strategies (Clement & Lovat, 2008). However, teachers and researchers who are implementing, and testing BBL strategies, contend that a working knowledge of neural functioning is paramount as educators look for successful ways to address individual learning needs. Balil Duman ((2010) shares that several educators and brain researchers have conducted and produced research that reveals that individuals learn in different ways thus multi-dimensional teaching models should be used to transmit information to students. Caine and Caine...
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...Brain-Based Teaching Methods/Solutions for Collegians in Poverty Abstract “The convergence of low literacy levels, poverty, an aging population, immigration, and the globalization of business means that working with the growing and significant segment of the population that comes from generational poverty is no longer just a moral obligation, it has become an economic imperative.” (Krodel, Becker, Ingle, and Jakes, 2008) This quotation highlights the plight of impoverished adults seeking a college education. Hampered by This paper first addresses key learning influencers such as memory, perception, emotion and cognition as they are affected by generational poverty. Then, the principles of brain-based learning are applied to suggest andragogy which mitigates these affects. The community college has been highlighted by no less than Barack Obama as one means to lift the mantle of poverty from those whose development and educational opportunities have been severely limited by virtue of their economic circumstances. In a June, 2009 appearance, the President noted that "community colleges are an essential part of our recovery in the present and our prosperity in the future." Its universal access, local influence and community reach make the community college an ideal institution to undertake this role. And, here in Cleveland, Ohio, this role is particularly critical. In 2012, Cleveland, Ohio was once again designated one of the “Poorest Big Cities in America,” a title it...
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...Introduction Science education encompasses a significant part of a child’s formal and informal education. In order to solve everyday problems, children consciously or unconsciously engage in scientific thinking and analysis of situations. This scientific approach to solving everyday problems needs to be encouraged and developed in a formal educational setting where teachers continuously change and organize curriculum and instruction to meet the needs of their children (Poon, Tan & Tan, 2009). The best environment that fosters and develops structured scientific analytical thinking is the school, where the child spends the major section of his/her day when he/she is away from home. It is within the school environment that formal learning takes place. Acceptable attitudes and values which the child inculcates are transmitted by the teacher who is specifically trained to teach at given levels. The training of the teacher in the use of the most effective methods of teaching is therefore the first and foremost important goal preceding the child’s education, especially since it has been established that teachers go on to teach science in the same way that they have been taught (Marshall & Dorward, 2000). Upon investigation, in private as well as public schools, we have been privy to two familiar methods of teaching science in the elementary and kindergarten classrooms. The two common methods are the inquiry and the direct instruction methods of teaching. The inquiry...
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...of 12-19 years accounting for 83.08%-90.91%. For this reason, teachers must elevate students’ learning ability and knowledge through temporary assistance like information technology. To teachers and students, the meaning of this incoming digital trend counts for more challenges than opportunities. History, a subject about facts, should also be inextricably linked to digital world. Being a junior high history teacher, the researcher found that it would be better to use a lively way-learning by playing-we can use some digital assistance to arouse students’ learning motivation and academic performance. Moreover, traditionally teacher-centered didactic instruction is progressively substituted by student-centered various interactive learning patterns. The innovating digital learning which claims for enhancing learners’ motivation and initiative exploration is available to all. Terms like E-learning, U-learning, Digital Game-based Learning (DGBL) gradually represent information technology integrated into teaching in school. DGBL was first proposed by Marc Prensky in 2001. Through digital games, learners obtain sense of achievement in solving problems and dealing with challenges. Digital game based learning takes both entertainment and education into consideration. In Prensky’s opinion, digital game based learning will be the main learning pattern in the 21st century, the traditional learning style such as emphasizing reading and writing...
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...and now in middle of fiscal year they are throwing me to the wolves with out any financial or supportive incentive After the weekend to think about the situation with a more calm mind, I started to consider the pro and cons. Hence, I realized this transition may end up resulting too many positive opportunities that I would not be exposed to in my current position. At this point I had few alternatives, rejecting the move and risking my job. Accept the move, and just do my job and not be happy. Finally, I can start familiarizing myself in the new department to make my transition more smooth and comfortable. There were many challenges I would have to deal with. The main was balancing my current position pending projects and deal and learning my new position. The new position would be more challenging than my current role I started as a new employee. First I had no experience with the system used in the front end group and training was not offered at the moment. I would have to answer to not one but many upper management people. This position consisted with working with more...
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...curriculum program using Problem Based Learning Hortensia Jiménez Díaz Córdoba, Ver. Presented as a poster in the PBL2004 International Conference Cancún, México June 13-19, 2004 Constructivism & PBL Abstract The purpose of this paper is to identify if teachers and students from an undergraduate program designed under a constructivist model, using curriculum integration and PBL, perceive the created environment as a cultural system, according to Windschitl (1999). The research work was completed with open questionnaires and direct observations that were used to collect information about the process that is going on in this program. The data obtained was analyzed using the seven essential values of PBL proposed by Keng-Neo, Yih Chyn and Heng Chye (2001) that were related to Windschitl’s elements of a cultural system. The findings show that even when the program has most of the elements proposed by the authors mentioned above, the teachers do not have a deep 2 knowledge about constructivism and its philosophical principles, and they consider PBL just as an alternative way of teaching. A deeper analysis is required to establish which of the factors involved in creating a cultural system are present in this kind of programs and how do these factors contribute to that. Constructivism & PBL 3 Constructivism as a cultural system in an integrated curriculum program using Problem Based Learning According to Windschitl (1999b), constructivism is based in the belief that when...
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...Changing Perceptions on Inquiry Based Learning in Pre-Service and In-Service Teachers North Carolina State University Changing Perceptions on Inquiry Based Learning in Pre-Service and In-Service Teachers The modern world in which we live is requiring individual citizens to become more equipped with essential 21st century skills. The science classroom is a platform where students can engage in critical thinking, communication, and collaboration skills that would enhance their readiness for our rapidly changing, technology rich, society. Furthermore, teaching these skills through means of inquiry and constructivism has shown to increase student involvement, comprehension, and retention when done effectively (Aydeniz, 2012, pg.201). For this reason it is imperative for science educators to include, if not practice regularly; inquiry based learning in their lessons. However, this is not an approach many teachers feel comfortable implementing for various reasons. The purpose of this review is to focus on research studies that have provided professional development on inquiry based learning to pre-service and in-service teachers in the hopes of improving their views of inquiry while encouraging and supporting them in practicing this methodology. The studies used are from multiple countries and school level ranges from kindergarten to high school. Since this area of research is increasing in its popularity the articles used are fairly recent, ranging from 2008 to 2014. This...
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...APEC- The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) is a regional economic forum established in 1989 to leverage the growing interdependence of the Asia-Pacific. APEC's 21 members aim to create greater prosperity for the people of the region by promoting balanced, inclusive, sustainable, innovative and secure growth and by accelerating regional economic integration. GLOBALIZATION- The worldwide movement toward economic, financial, trade, and communications integration. Globalization implies the opening of local and nationalistic perspectives to a broader outlook of an interconnected and interdependent world with free transfer of capital, goods, and services across national frontiers. However, it does not include unhindered movement of labor and, as suggested by some economists, may hurt smaller or fragile economies if applied indiscriminately. ECONOMICS- Economics is the study of the production and consumption of goods and the transfer of wealth to produce and obtain those goods. Economics explains how people interact within markets to get what they want or accomplish certain goals. Since economics is a driving force of human interaction, studying it often reveals why people and governments behave in particular ways. OPEN BORDERS- An open border is a border that enables free movement of people between different jurisdictions with limited or no restrictions on movement. A border may be an open border due to intentional legislation allowing free movement of people across...
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...PROBLEM-BASED LEARNING DISCOVERY JOURNAL Subject : ____________________________ Problem Name : _____________________ Class : ______________________________ PBL Team : _________________________ Your Name : ________________________ Date : ______________________________ Facilitator’s comments : Grade : This journal, consisting of 2 parts, is to be completed by each and every student. Part 1: As this is an individual journal, you are required to submit materials and information you have found pertaining to your assigned learning issue(s). These would serve as evidences of your effort in this problem, your research skills as well as your learning. Sources of your research (e.g. titles and authors of books, URLs of web-site, including the specific page of topic reseached, , etc) should be mentioned. Use the following referencing style for (a) Website e.g. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Database_normalization [Accessed 14 Oct 2001]. (b) Book e.g. Hoyle, E. (1986), The Politics of School Management. London : Hodder & Stoughton, pg. 20-22. My sources of research are: Rev 3.1/2008 Page 1 Part 2: After going through your research materials, check with your facilitator on the scope of your topic by showing him/her your findings before you prepare your notes. Summarise your findings and present them in a way which can help your peers understand your topic better. Be clear, specific and where possible include pictures, diagrams, graphs, demonstrations to help make...
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...What are your overall thoughts on PBL? Overall thoughts on problem-based learning seem to be very straight forward, in my opinion. The three phases provide a straight forward step by step approach of solving issues while also thinking in depth instead of jumping to conclusions. This will help in the sense of pushing the mind to think beyond the obvious. It is easy to think of a quick solution but generally the outcome is not thought of or even works as expected. Choices of solutions are very much needed regardless of the issue because it takes a great amount of time and sometimes money to come to a solution. Depending on the resources available some may cost money and some are simply straight from the internet anymore but they are to be reliable resources to be of any use. PBL also suggests the open communication between all parties involved which includes sharing of information that has been found. This is an important step in any problem or project that occurs and it should not be taken as if it is a secret that should not be shared. Communication helps the process especially when it comes to problem solving. The third phase of Resolving the Problem points out a step of presenting and justifying the solution. There are many ideas but does it justify the chosen solution. This is an important step because all of the work that has been done could result in a waste of time if the solution cannot be justified. What ideas and plans do you have about approaching...
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...introduce researched based strategies into a fifth grade collaborative classroom to increase students with learning-disabilities academic performance by incorporating brain-based strategies into daily lessons and implementing parental involvement. These students display poor test scores, low motivation and behaviors that negatively impact their learning. The purpose of the plan is to determine if incorporating brain-based strategies would help raise test scores and improve student behaviors. Researched based strategies will be included through the following methods: teaching to the brains natural learning systems, and BrainSMART strategies to increase the students’ ability to retain information. The success of this plan will be measured through examination of students’ Georgia Criterion Reference Competency Test (GCRCT), Quarterly Benchmark Assessments (QBA), a teacher-developed observation checklist, and a parent survey. As a result of this plan students will show an increase in academic performance in reading and math and appropriate learning behaviors. Introduction Although research suggests that the specific teaching of thinking skills is proven to dramatically increase student achievement, these skills are seldom taught systematically in American schools. At the same time, studies suggest that IQ without such specific teaching may account for only 4% to 10% of life success (as cited in Wilson & Conyers, 2011). Brain-based research is a...
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