aromatherepy
I found it very interesting that armona therepy ie.scents can ad in learning as well as medical isuue. I knew peppermint and lavender was good for migraine mangement and I'm going to try and just see if this makes any difference
Hugh,
yes, you are definitely right that we need to be careful & also be considerate of those who may have allergies to scents.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
yes, there have been studies performed on the benefits of aromatherapy and the change in moods. I am an advocate for aromatherapy, however diffusing the aromatherapy into a classroom has to be taken with caution due to student sensitivities and allergie.
I think this is an interesting concept, but wonder if there are downsides that have not been considered. I say this because I often work in the middle east where the men tend to wear some pretty powerful cologne. In most cases, it is not overpowering, but at times I will have a student that has applied so much cologne that it makes me uncomfortable. Applying this to aromatherapy, I would think that there is a fine line between enhancing the learning experience and overwhelming the learner with too strong of a scent.
Laura,
yes, scents can also be great for memory triggers. So it might actually help students in learning & then retaining the information.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
i love the idea of aromatherapy. Scents have such an impact on our senses, which in most cases, given pleasant odors, will likely elicit positve feelings and emotions for individuals which will make the learning process more enjoyable. I think changing scents to associated to the four seasons would take it a step further, giving the classroom environment a "festive" feel at the same time. I would however try to find out what scent the majority of the class agrees with as pleasant and use the majority's vote of choice.
Mike,
this is a good point & we want to make sure we see if anyone has an allergy to scents.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I think aromatherapy is a very interesting approach to the enhancement of learning. The only condern I have is selecting a scent that is not offensive to anyone. Perhaps a quick student survey of some of their favorite scents among the list of scents suggested to enhance learning would be beniicial. You can then choose a scent enjoyed by the majority of the students. I also think it adds a great component to the enviromment, especially in cases where classrooms have no access to windows or outdoor lighting. It could invite a calming affect and sense of being part of a larger existence while hovering in a closed-in classroom.
Cynthia,
this is a good idea as it can help bring some changes to the class.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
