Making Connections BrainBased Learning and the Art of

Making Connections: Brain-Based Learning and the Art of Teaching You have brains in your head You have feet in your shoes You can steer yourself any direction you choose! Dr. Suess Lori Walker Rick Stepp-Bolling

The Developmental Education Faculty Certification Program l l Three Modules Eight Weeks each 16 Hours of In-Class Time and 32 Hours of Outside Class Time Each Module=2 Units of Crossover Credit

Module One: Philosophy and Definitions of Developmental Education l l l Brain-Compatible Learning Student-Center Learning Multiple Intelligences Emotional Intelligences Learning Styles

Module Two: Facilitating a Developmental Education Approach within the Classroom Ø Problem-Based Learning Ø Project-Based Learning Ø Infusion of Study Skills into the Content Areas Ø Classroom Assessment Techniques

Module Three: Introduction to Learning Communities and Developing a Holistic Developmental Approach to the Classroom Ø Introduction to Learning Communities Ø Creation of a Learning Community Using DE Principles

Brain Basics 101

Today’s Outcomes Ø Understand the Research Foundation for Brain-based/Student-Centered Learning Ø Learn, Understand Apply Effective Brain-based Practices Used in the Classroom Setting

Check-In

Brain-based/ Student-Centered Learning How do YOU currently define: Ø developmental education? Ø developmental learners?

Defining our perspective. . . Developmental education is a field of practice and research within higher education with a theoretical foundation in developmental psychology and learning theory. It promotes the cognitive and affective growth of all postsecondary learners, at all levels of the learning continuum. Developmental education is sensitive and responsive to the individual differences and special needs among learners. -Adopted from NADE (National Association of Developmental Educators)

Remedial vs. Developmental Remedial Perspective Ø Ø Ø Focuses on the skills that need to be learned Assumes that students lack certain skills, and are at one particular level Considers only the cognitive dynamic of learning Includes outside services designed to meet only the cognitive needs of students Focuses on learning strategies related to the specific skills that need to be learned Helps students master specific academic skills Developmental Perspective Ø Ø Ø Focuses on how the learner learns Assumes students are at a variety of levels simultaneously Considers the cognitive and affective dynamics of learning Includes outside services designed to meet the cognitive and affective needs of students Focuses on the development of a variety of learning strategies Helps students master their educational/life goals and objectives

Developmental Student Profile Based on the DE Definition, developmental education at Mt. San Antonio College empowers students to become independent learners by: 1. Controlling their own learning • • • Students can explain how they learn (metacognition) Students take responsibility for their own learning Students possess effective learning tools (e. g. selfassessment) 2. Persisting in achieving their educational and life goals • Students clarify their own academic/learning/life objectives • Students arrive at realistic goals

Developmental Student Profile, Cont. 3. Gaining academic skills • Students possess skills in reading, writing, math, speaking and study skills • Students are technologically proficient in basic software use 4. Achieving affective awareness and growth • Students understand/tolerate diverse academic cultures and systems • Students possess improved academic self-confidence • Students are intrinsically motivated to learn

The Reptilian Brain: the "Preverbal" Brain The oldest and smallest region in the evolving human brain. Controls life itself, such as autonomic brain and heart actions. Impulses are deeply instinctual and ritualistic. Concerned with basic survival needs, e. g. , temperature, nourishment, sleep, and etc. _________________________ Oxygen to the brain and body is the primary function of the reptilian system.

The Limbic Brain: the "Emotional" Brain Common to all mammals, it developed about 60 million years ago. Acts as the brain's emotion factory. Activated by music and colors. Stores all memory information. The Reticular Activating System (RAS) will require its needs to be met before the rest of the brain is “available” for higher order functions. Retention of information can be significantly increased when it's presented in an emotionally charged context!

The Neocortex Brain: the "Thinking" Brain Constitutes five-sixths of the total brain mass, which has evolved over the last million years, to produce the human brain. Controls such high-level processes as logic, creative thought, language, and the integration of sensory information. The Neocortex is divided into the left and right cerebral hemispheres, described in Left/Right Brain Theory. This is the “motherlode”!

So… . . . who cares ?

Brain-based Learning and Education Traditional education was designed for neocortex functions. However, this misses a basic brain fact: the reptilian brain is an interconnected pathway to the limbic brain which is an interconnected pathway to the neocortex -- you can’t skip a brain function! Brain-based learning experiences pay attention to the power of the whole brain by simultaneously: • Responding to the learner's physical and sensory needs • Creating activities that link emotions to the acquisition of new information • Designing curriculum that requires students to form their own knowledge/meaning

“You can either have your learner’s attention, or they can be making meaning -- but never both at the same time. ” Jensen (1998)

How can you create a truly brain-based/ student-centered learning environment? Ø Create Class/Team Norms BEFORE any work is introduced

Class Norms Use our names when we speak and introduce ourselves -- nametags at first until we know one another Ø Have one person each week share a great moment in her/his week Ø Snacks/beverages permitted – optional to bring some to share Ø Be respectful, prepared and ready to participate Ø Change seats on a regular basis Ø One make-up assignment Ø Cell phones on silent Ø

How can you create a truly brain-based/ student-centered learning environment? Ø Create Class/Team Norms BEFORE any work is introduced Ø Get them up and moving every 12 -15 minutes

Now It’s Your Time to Make Meaning! Ø Draw a picture of what Brain-Based Learning looks like to you!

Now It’s Your Time to Make Meaning! Ø Find a partner who is currently the FARTHEST AWAY from you in the room and tell your partner two things you have learned thus far that you didn’t already know.

How can you create a truly brain-based/ student-centered learning environment? Ø Create Class/Team Norms BEFORE any work is introduced Ø Get them up and moving every 12 -15 minutes Ø Create environments where they can teach one another, i. e. , the jigsaw classroom

The Jigsaw Classroom Students form Expert Groups, each of whom has been given the same assigned topic to study. Ø Together, expert partners study their topic and plan effective ways to teach important information to their peers. Ø Participants in the Expert Groups go out and form new, Cooperative Groups. Ø Each expert takes responsibility for sharing their expertise with the others in the Cooperative Group. Ø

How can you create a truly brain-based/ student-centered learning environment? Create Class/Team Norms BEFORE any work is introduced Ø Get them up and moving every 12 -15 minutes Ø Create environments where they can teach one another, i. e. , the jigsaw classroom Ø Allow time for silence (individual reflection) Ø

Learning = Conscious + Unconscious The Learning Pyramid = Levels of Conscious Processing Silence/Reflection/Meditation = Unconscious Processing Fact: Meditation/Reflection substantially increases brain activity and reduces stress levels (cortisol) in the body. Fact: NASA Astronauts were instructed to daydream 20 minutes twice a day. Research showed that it increased their ability to create new solutions and anticipate unexpected situations by more than 40%! Fact: After doing PET scans of more than 500 common activities, meditation was found to produce the MOST active brain waves!

Reflection Questions When you begin a session, ask: Ø What do you already know about this topic? Ø What do you want to know about this topic? And the reflection… Ø What have you learned about this topic?

How can you create a truly brain-based/ student-centered learning environment? Create Class/Team Norms BEFORE any work is introduced Ø Get them up and moving every 12 -15 minutes Ø Create environments where they can teach one another, i. e. , the jigsaw classroom Ø Allow time for silence (individual reflection) Ø Create the structure, release the process Ø

Worksheet #1: Team Contact List Team Member Contact List Name Telephone Number (s) E-Mail Address

Worksheet #2: Team Member Grading Criteria The grade you receive on this project will significantly affect your overall grade in this class. You have all completed a group project, so you all know how important it is to have clear expectations of one another from the beginning. What are your expectations of one another? What is MOST important? What percentage of the grade you give one another will each criteria represent? And most importantly, how much will you grade one another if the criteria is not met? In other words, if someone is absent once, how much will you “dock” from their total 100 points? Tardy? Absent twice? And what if they don’t do a homework assignment the team has assigned? What if they say they will call (i. e. , communicate) and just don’t? What if they say they will be somewhere, and simply don’t show up? What if they are late with doing their share of the work? Be as SPECIFIC as possible. (NOTE: Choose a MAXIMUM of five criteria. ) Team Member Grading Criteria CRITERIA % OF GRADE RESULT OF NOT MEETING CRITERIA As team members, we understand agree to fulfill the expectations of our fellow team members. We also understand that our grade will be reflected in how well we uphold these expectations. ___________________________________

Worksheet #3: Team Backwards Planning Timeline Step by Step Things to Do Turn in Assignment Date you will finish this step (Write down date for them)

Releasing the Process: Implications for Educators “You can either have your learner’s attention, or they can be making meaning -- but never both at the same time. ” Jensen (1998) Ø Brain-centered = student-centered = less educator control Ø Self-awareness: how much control do you need? Ø Walking the talk

Now It’s Your Turn… Ø Choose two things you have learned today that you will commit to applying in your classroom Ø Share your commitments with those at your table

Traditional Paradigm Emerging Paradigm 1. Motivators are external 2. Aging lowers ability 3. IQ is a single-faceted, academic concept 4. There are no sex differences 5. Nurture is the main factor 6. Germs cause disease 7. Diet is unrelated to the brain 8. The brain is seen as a computer 9. Memory is retrieval of complete episodes 1. Motivators are internal 2. Use it or lose it! 3. IQ is a multifaceted, streetsmart concept 4. The sexes are wired differently 5. Nature is the main factor 6. The mind controls disease 7. Diet influences mental function 8. The brain is seen as a pharmacy 9. Memory is construction of episodes from pieces of

Want to Know More? The Owner's Manual for the Brain: Everyday Applications from Mind-Brain Research - Pierce J. Howard, Ph. D. Active Learning: 101 Strategies to Teach Any Subject -Mel Silberman www. jigsaw. org -The Jigsaw Classroom The Colour of Happiness New Scientist Vol 178 Issue 2396 - 24 May 2003, page 44. Brain Rules -John Medina How The Brain Learns -David A. Sousa

Where is Rick? Rick Stepp-Bolling Ø Mt San Antonio College Ø Learning Assistance Center, 6 -150 Ø Telephone: (909) 594 -5611, ext. 4303 Ø E-Mail: EStepp. Bolling@Mt. SAC. edu

Thank you.