roy

Balancing Challenge Optimal learning occurs when there is a balance between the level of challenge and existing knowledge or skills. If the challenge is greater than the skills, it can create anxiety; if the skills are greater than the challenge, boredom is likely. This suggests that getting students into optimal learning states requires assessing the […]

Benefits of Laughter Laughter has been shown to boost the body’s production of neurotrans- mitters critical for alertness and memory. Some studies have shown that having fun and pleasant experiences improve the functioning of the body’s immune system for three days. (Fry, 1997, as cited in Jensen, 2000, p. 125) Teachers, like everyone else, need

Optimal Emotional State All learning is state dependent: the physiological, emotional, postural, and psychological state learners are in will mediate content. And these states are related to the chemical “flavor of the moment” in the brain. Chemicals can be too high, resulting in hyper or stressed states; chemi- cals can be too low, yielding drowsiness.

BUILDING AN ATTENTION REPERTOIRE Attention level is determined by the interaction of various factors: sen- sory input (sources of information such as textbooks, videos, field trips, etc.); data’s intensity or perceived importance; and the brain’s “chemical flavor” of the moment. (Jensen, 2000, p. 123) That teachers need to build a repertoire of ways to capture

describe ways in which teachers keep students alert In this chapter, we describe ways in which teachers keep students alert by p doing things in the moment that are surprising or out of the ordinary (like breaking into song to give directions when student attention has drifted or randomizing calling-on patterns so a student never

WHAT WE KNOW FROM BRAIN RESEARCH To determine what works and how to gain and maintain student attention most effectively and efficiently, it is prudent to consider how some of the brain re- search of the past two decades informs thinking. Jensen (2000) states that the challenge for a teacher is knowing how to capitalize

How do I eliminate disruptions while building student responsibility and ownership? “Discipline” addresses the question, How do I eliminate disruptions while building student responsibility and ownership? Vigi- lance in other management areas lays a solid foundation on which to build this sixth area of management. In this chapter, we highlight the interconnectedness of areas of

How do teachers ensure that students know what the routines are, why they are important, and how to carry them out? “Routines” addresses the question, What routines are im- portant in order to maximize smooth operations and minimize wasted time and energy for teacher and students? How do teachers ensure that students know what the

What routines are important in order to maximize smooth operations and minimize wasted time and energy for teacher and students? “Routines” addresses the question, What routines are im- portant in order to maximize smooth operations and minimize wasted time and energy for teacher and students? How do teachers ensure that students know what the routines

What principles of time al- location do teachers need to use to guide the planning and implemen- tation of successful learning experiences? “Time” addresses the question, What principles of time al- location do teachers need to use to guide the planning and implemen- tation of successful learning experiences? The bottom line in this area of