Get Your Students Hired
I'm reading a book right now that addresses the importance of movement/exercise when it comes to learning. It appears that it is valid for both young and mature learners - in fact, movement and exercise is really good for the brain. Does anyone integrate movement into their curriculum to assist with learning?
Hi Karen - Great question. I really believe that when students realize that they CAN learn they get excited about learning. I have many times seen students who had been in the bottom fifth of their high school classes ( where they were primarily lectured to) dicover that when they are taught using delivery styles that address kinethetic and visual styles, discover that they LOVE to learn! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career and Happy New Year! Susan
I used to train in martial arts and the forms I learned were taught with the idea in mind that with practice, it created physical development of the brain. I do think that while learning style is important...creating a desire to learn is equally important. I remember reading a book in college called "Lust for Learning". When does this happen in a students life and is it inspired by a teacher? Why do some students enjoy the learning process and others don't?
I like to include at least one activity each day that will allow my students to get up out of their seats, whether it is for group work or individual activities. The students usually respond favorably to the change of pace and tactic of delivery.
Yes, I've read several books on this. I'd recommend the books Spark by Dr. John Ratey, The Brain that Changes Itself by Norman Doidge and Train your Mind, Change your Brain by Sharon Begley. Amazing reading for any teachers!
Hi Amy - The connection between movement and learning is intriguing. Here's an interesting study that relates to this:
Neuroscientists at the University of California at Irvine discovered that exercise triggers the release of BDNF, a brain-derived neurotrophic factor (Kinoshita 1997). This natural substance enhances cognition by boosting the ability of neurons to communicate with one another. At Scripps College in Claremont, California, 124 subjects were divided equally into exercisers and nonexercisers. Those who exercised 75 minutes a week demonstrated quicker reactions, thought better, and remembered more (Michaud and Wild 1991). Because studies suggest that exercise can reduce stress, there's a fringe benefit too. Chronic stress releases the chemicals that skill neurons in the critical area of the brain for long-term memory formation, the hippocampus. Brink (1995) says that physical exercise is still one of the best ways to stimulate the brain and learning (Kempermann, Kuhn, and Gage 1997).
Best wishes - Susan