BRAIN HACKS
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The Parts of Speech Song
An instructor at Palm Beach State College, Marilyn Tredemann, teaches students by activating multiple brain pathways. One example is having her learners memorize parts of speech by singing it to the tune of "Doe a Deer."
Noun, a person, place or thing
Pronoun, takes the place of a noun
Verb tells where the action is
Adverb how I done it when I did!
Adjective tells how great I am!
Preposition shows relationships
Conjunction joins a boy and girl!
Interjection says, “Gee whiz!”
(Hat tip to Janet Zadina)
You can also find more grammar songs on Pinterest or ask students to make up their own grammar reminder music to the "Fresh Prince of Bel Air theme song.
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To Improve Memory, Eat This not That
1. Avoid Non-fatty foods - Consumption of fatty food reduces glucose levels in the brain.
2. Avoid fructose - Fructose alters genes in the hypothalamus and hippocampus.
3. Do a 5-day diet - Every 6 months, eat 50% of your normal caloric intake for 5 days to boost neural regeneration.
(Source: Healthiest Blog)
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Virtual Reality Used to Suppress Pain
The University of Washington’s VR research center uses VR with burn victims. “What we found [through fMRI] was that VR reduces pain as much as a moderate dose of hydromorphone,” says a researcher. “Pain requires conscious attention. Virtual reality uses up a lot of attentional resources [so] the brain has less attention available to process incoming pain signals.” (Source: Motherboard)
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‘Hope is a function of struggle."
-Brené Brown
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TEACHING STRATEGIES
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"Pose, Pause, Bounce, Pounce"
Here is a technique for questioning designed to maximize student engagement and reflection. It's credited to Pam Fearnley:
1. POSE
• Give the context of your approach to the class.
• Insist on hands down before the question is delivered.
• Provide a question or a series of questions, while ensuring that kids remain quiet and reflective.
2. PAUSE
• Ask the class to hold the thought. "Think. Think again." Maintain reflection for as long as possible.
3. BOUNCE
• Insist that the answer to the question comes from student A directly and fast after you call on her.
• Don't speak and nip any comments in the bud.
• If needed, ask peers to support student A.
• If student A does manage to answer, then...
4. POUNCE!
• Immediately ask another student or sub-group their opinion of student A's answer. Repeat.
The key: don't allow the process to be rushed.
(Source: Ross Morrison McGill for The Guardian)
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How to Flip a Class - A Visual
The University of Texas created an excellent How to Flip a Class guide for its instructors that features steps, videos, and this handy visual:
(Sources: The University of Washington. The image is from The University of Texas)
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Exam Wrappers
When the test is over, there is still more to learn. Exam wrappers, or post-test surveys, elicit students' critical appraisal of their exam performance in order to sharpen their skills for the next quiz.
Have students answer the following questions in writing when you pass back their test:
1. Which part of the exam was easiest for you? Why?
2. Which part of the exam was most difficult? Why?
3. Circle all the activities that you completed prior to exam:
a. Read all texts assigned.
b. Reviewed all lecture notes.
c. Made study sheets from reading and lecture notes.
d. Created note cards.
e. Predicted possible questions.
f. Studied with classmates.
4. How many hours did you spend preparing for the exam?
5. How many separate occasions did you study for the exam? For how many minutes or hours?
6. How could you study for the next exam more effectively?
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(Source: Ambrose, S. A., Bridges, M. W., DiPietro, M., Lovett, M. C. & Noman, M. K. (2010). How learning works: seven research-based principles for smart teaching. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. Also modified from Duquesne's Center for Teaching Excellence)
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RESEARCH
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Studies: How to Take Effective Notes
What's better for remembering? Taking notes in Microsoft Word or taking notes using handwriting?
Answer: handwriting.*
What works better for reading comprehension: linear note taking or mind mapping?
Answer: mind mapping.**
Highlighting a text helps students perform better on what types of tests?
Answer: multiple choice tests*** (as opposed to short answer)
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*The Pen Is Mightier Than the Keyboard: Advantages of Longhand Over Laptop Note Taking
**How to Improve Reading Comprehension with Mind Maps
***Improving Students’ Learning With Effective Learning Techniques: Promising Directions From Cognitive and Educational Psychology
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Fate whispers to the warrior, “You cannot withstand the storm,’”
And the warrior whispers back, “I am the storm.”
-Unknown (Hat Tip to Scott Finley)
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"We Got this Wednesday" - Jennifer Regruth has her students write an encouraging message that will pump them up for a great Wednesday.
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