This would be writer, photographer and friend is on a personal journey. Being truly successful in these three areas is elusive, even with a positive heart, soul, mind, spirit, and passion. The world seems to prefer silence. However, silence does not reveal any thoughts, love, or compassion. Is the world afraid? Perhaps it is jaded by apathy that can no longer sense an inner positive spirit. Perhaps it makes the world nervous to see someone openly "dancing in the rain." As I say, we are traveling a beautiful path and we must learn to enjoy each step of the way. Since we have not traveled this path before, we do not know when it will end.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Friday, July 22, 2011
Teaching with the Brain in Mind
Teaching without knowing brain and learning research is comparable to reading by candlelight. It can be done but not with much effectiveness. There is little reason for a teacher to be unfamiliar with the latest learning research. Dozens of free websites pump out research results, proven classroom management methods, and techniques for teaching skills students need. Likewise, self-help ideas, original scientific and historical documents, and free courses are available by just a touch of a screen.
Teachers, who rely on a textbook and memorization of facts, need to go to a blog such as http://www.edutopia.org/spiralnotebook/ben-johnson. Once teachers and parents have assimilated this kind of information, education will never be the same. Ben emphasizes the importance of teaching by projects. Project-based learning helps students remember information and feel good about learning.
By using project-based learning, students function in the real world, producing a project that demonstrates what they have learned. This product can be a structure, play, website, technology project, or portfolio. It must be a hands-on project, based on research, collaboration, or other study.
Another site that can change parents, teachers, and students is http://www.radteach.com/page34/page34.html. Here Dr. Judy Willis, the acclaimed neurologist explains ten things parents and teachers can do to maximize learning. Reviewing her memory tips helped generate some dormant ideas which I have been blended with hers.
1. A classroom needs to be a happy positive place free from stress. Chronic over-secretion of stress hormones has a negative effect on brain function, especially memory.
2. Experience has shown that students enjoy being greeted by name and a positive comment. It is the respectful habit to have with everyone anyway.
Maya Angelou says, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
3. Use music and posters to advertise what will be happening in class. Having renowned poets reading their poems as students enter class sets a positive tone for writing lessons. The Internet makes it possible to have the best authors, artists, scientist, and world leaders as virtual guests.
4. Add color to PowerPoint presentations and encourage students to use different color of paper and ink.
“Complex as the brain is, it still loves the simple things (color, movement, and gentle music), to help it learn more easily and remember better, stronger, longer.” (Meeks, 2011)
5. Students need to use variety in demonstrating what they have learned. Written reports have their place but Twitter, Facebook, websites, PowerPoint, cartoons, models, and email are just a few of the ways that students can demonstrate their new knowledge.
6. Original research is often neglected but a valuable way for students to practice language skills.
7. Provide students with time to study patterns. For example, we say history repeats itself. Encourage students to look for examples of this has happened in modern times.
8. Students need opportunities to use what they have learned so that the information is stored in long-term memory. Whether they write, sing, dance, or make a movie about the new information does not matter. It is important that the information is used in an interesting and meaning way.
9. Review information at the beginning of the next lesson. This helps keep the information available for immediate access.
Before the brain will store information in long term-memory, the information must be
meaningful. This is why items 1 through 8 are critical. They help students see the
information a relevant.
meaningful. This is why items 1 through 8 are critical. They help students see the
information a relevant.
10. Dr. Willis also emphasizes the importance of variety in learning activities. She says, "Neurotransmitters, brain transport proteins, needed for memory construction and attention are depleted after as little as ten minutes of doing the same activity. Synapses are brain-breaks where you change the learning activity to let the brain chemicals replenish."
If nothing else kicks us in the head, Dr. Willis’ number 10 must. Reminder: A classroom needs to be place where the teacher and students are having fun learning difficult things.
11. Technology – iPod Option
Teachers who have an iPod only need to visit www.apple.com to see a multitude of applications that will make teaching easier and learning more exciting. For example, “TED presents talks from some of the world's most fascinating people: education radicals, tech geniuses, medical.” My imagination goes wild with the possibilities. There must be hundreds of educational applications for the iPad2. It makes my website www.rogcmh.web.officelive.com look like an orphan. However, it is a nice little orphan that you and others interested in studying almost any topic will enjoy visiting.
12. The reason a classroom becomes a dull uninteresting place is because the teacher and students have lost their passion. Even without the boost that comes with technology, project-based learning and other hands-on learning can revive students and teachers. The teacher will no longer need to say, “I have to teach for the state test.”
Summary
Judy Willis and other researches remind us that when students participate in engaging learning activities in well-designed, supportive, cooperative groups, there is a positive emotional response in the brain. The pleasure of learning with one's peers increases the brain's release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that increases pleasure, motivation, perseverance through challenges, and resilience to setbacks.
_______________________
Meek, J Collins PhD, THE LEARNING CLINIC WORLDWIDE, July 20th,
2011http://www.docmeek.com/author/admin/, accessed July 23, 2011
2011http://www.docmeek.com/author/admin/, accessed July 23, 2011
Monday, July 11, 2011
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Yin and Yang of Writing
Many writers talk about how much fun they have writing. Writing about a topic that you have a passion sharing with others can be a wonderful experience. Maybe you see writing as an opportunity to help others, too. Learning about what has been happening by researching related issues can have intellectual and stimulating impact on a writer. The anticipation and discussing of issues with friends and other authors adds zest to one's life. These positive experiences alone may be reason enough to write. If nothing else, our brain is healthier and we have more fulfilling lives. This is the Yang, active, positive force, and may be enough to keep most of us writing forever. However, there is a dark side that writers do not like to mention.
The negative and dark yin, side of writing that authors tend to ignore needs to be considered. Five hundred thousand plus titles were published worldwide in 2009. One hundred seventy-two thousand of these were in the United States. Now that electronic publication, self-publishing and publishing-on-demand are popular, the number of titles may have increased. Therefore, the chances of someone becoming rich and famous have decreased. Most titles sell less than one hundred copies.
Publishing and marketing is big business. There are companies and individuals eager to embrace you and ensure you that they can help you become an Amazon.com or New York Times best seller. They will bombard you with email offering free webinar and teleconferences. These free webinar and teleconferences often provide excellent resourses and information. They always conclude with a pitch for expensive offers for coaching, seminars, or other training programs.
Writers will have no trouble finding a publisher. Some will pay a small finder’s fee without seeing your book. Others will charge a few hundred dollars because you are a "first time author." At all stages, "the buyer must beware" and pay no fees and sign no contracts without the approval of an “intellectual property rights attorney.” Experience taught me to use intellectual property rights lawyers before making decisions about book contracts, website, and copyright issues. Their expertise can save the writer in many ways.
It is common for an author to have a sound educational background in writing, publishing, and marketing or have money to hire the support that will supplement the hard work and passion for his topic. Other ways to get the support include writing clubs, friends, and workshops. Determined writers can find a way to improve their craft and find the support they need. The Yin does not have to overpower the Yang.
The negative and dark yin, side of writing that authors tend to ignore needs to be considered. Five hundred thousand plus titles were published worldwide in 2009. One hundred seventy-two thousand of these were in the United States. Now that electronic publication, self-publishing and publishing-on-demand are popular, the number of titles may have increased. Therefore, the chances of someone becoming rich and famous have decreased. Most titles sell less than one hundred copies.
Publishing and marketing is big business. There are companies and individuals eager to embrace you and ensure you that they can help you become an Amazon.com or New York Times best seller. They will bombard you with email offering free webinar and teleconferences. These free webinar and teleconferences often provide excellent resourses and information. They always conclude with a pitch for expensive offers for coaching, seminars, or other training programs.
Writers will have no trouble finding a publisher. Some will pay a small finder’s fee without seeing your book. Others will charge a few hundred dollars because you are a "first time author." At all stages, "the buyer must beware" and pay no fees and sign no contracts without the approval of an “intellectual property rights attorney.” Experience taught me to use intellectual property rights lawyers before making decisions about book contracts, website, and copyright issues. Their expertise can save the writer in many ways.
It is common for an author to have a sound educational background in writing, publishing, and marketing or have money to hire the support that will supplement the hard work and passion for his topic. Other ways to get the support include writing clubs, friends, and workshops. Determined writers can find a way to improve their craft and find the support they need. The Yin does not have to overpower the Yang.
Suggested reading:
Many Genres, One Craft: Lessons in Writing Popular Fiction, Michael A. Arnzen (Editor), Heidi Ruby Miller,
(Editor)
(Editor)
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