Brain-Based Learning
According to Erik Jensen in Teaching with the Brain in Mind,
there are seven critical factors that impact and influence students' learning process. I plan to take these factors into great consideration in order to enhance and increase student achievement.
# 1.
Engagement:
By cutting length of focused attention, implementing compelling, relevant tasks, and using attentional devices, such as a hand signal, students will remain better engaged. The key is goal-oriented attention and action.
# 2.
Repetition:
Repetition strengthens connections in the brain. I will make review activities more meaningful and effective by allowing students to develop their own ways to review concepts. What is repeated and reviewed is remembered.
# 3.
Input Quantity:
By remembering "Less is more. Too much, too fast, won't last" (Jensen, 2005), I will be able to teach my students in appropriate chunk sizes so they do not become overwhelmed and overloaded. Capacity and flow are essential for delivering effective lessons.
# 4.
Coherence:
Content is more meaningful when students can relate to it, be both active and reflective with it and when they are able to learn it in context. I will build on students' prior knowledge through the use of models, and relevant tasks so that they are able to fully understand concepts. It's all about practice, practice, practice!
# 5.
Timing:
The brain's rhythms play an important role in understanding and influencing cognitive performance, memory processes, visual perception, performance, mood, and behavior (Jensen, 2005). Periods of high and low energy throughout the day either heighten or decrease attention, interest, and learning. Therefore, BRAIN BREAKS ARE NECESSARY!
# 6.
Error Correction:
Students should be aware and reminded constantly that mistakes are KEY to developing intelligence. By giving quality, accurate feedback, students can significantly improve their learning. When students are able to evaluate and reflect on their learning process, the greater the chances they are able to get it right the next time.
#7.
Emotional States:
Emotion is one of the most important regulators of learning and memory (Jensen, 2005). Positive and negative emotions decide whether a student is able to learn effectively.By implementing risk, excitement, and urgency in my classroom I will be able to enhance students' recall and memorization skills.
Resource used:
Jensen, E. (2005). Teaching with the brain in mind. Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.
