Which part of your brain do you use most? Are you more rational than intuitive? Do you look at parts or at wholes?
It is said that the left hemisphere of the brain is more analytical and rational , it is dominant in language processing , logic and maths while the right hemisphere is in charge of spatial abilities, music processing and face recognition, It helps us to understand visual images and make sense of what we see. However, both brain's hemispheres are interconnected , they give and receive information from the opposite side so both sides work together all the time to produce one consciosusness.
One of the pillars of education since the Industrial revolution has been the importance given to logic reasoning and maths. Intelligence was and it is still defined in terms of verbal and mathematical reasoning. So, we've come to the conclusion that rationalist forms of thinking are superior than creaitivty and emotions.
So what happens in the classroom? Do teachers encourage students to use both sides of the brain equally? Do we give importance in class to music, arts and creative expression? In most of the cases we can say , that the emphasis is put on the left side of the brain and everything connected to words and numbers which is fine, but what about other thinking styles?
Howard Gardner a Harvard psychologyst claims that there are multiple types of intelligences, linguistic, musical, mathematical,spatial, kinesthetic, interpersonal (relationships with others), and intra-personal (knowledge and understanding of the self) intelligence. He claims that these types of intelligence have the same importance though some might be “dominant” while others are “dormant.” He also says that we all have different strengths in different intelligences and that education should treat them equally so that all children receive the same opportunities to develop their unique individual abilities.
The Whole Brain teacher.
These are just some ideas to encourage right brain thinking in the classroom.
It is said that the left hemisphere of the brain is more analytical and rational , it is dominant in language processing , logic and maths while the right hemisphere is in charge of spatial abilities, music processing and face recognition, It helps us to understand visual images and make sense of what we see. However, both brain's hemispheres are interconnected , they give and receive information from the opposite side so both sides work together all the time to produce one consciosusness.
One of the pillars of education since the Industrial revolution has been the importance given to logic reasoning and maths. Intelligence was and it is still defined in terms of verbal and mathematical reasoning. So, we've come to the conclusion that rationalist forms of thinking are superior than creaitivty and emotions.
So what happens in the classroom? Do teachers encourage students to use both sides of the brain equally? Do we give importance in class to music, arts and creative expression? In most of the cases we can say , that the emphasis is put on the left side of the brain and everything connected to words and numbers which is fine, but what about other thinking styles?
Howard Gardner a Harvard psychologyst claims that there are multiple types of intelligences, linguistic, musical, mathematical,spatial, kinesthetic, interpersonal (relationships with others), and intra-personal (knowledge and understanding of the self) intelligence. He claims that these types of intelligence have the same importance though some might be “dominant” while others are “dormant.” He also says that we all have different strengths in different intelligences and that education should treat them equally so that all children receive the same opportunities to develop their unique individual abilities.
The Whole Brain teacher.
These are just some ideas to encourage right brain thinking in the classroom.
- Mind maps
The whole brain teacher encourages activities that promote creativity and the use of visual imagery so instead of giving students long pages of information to memorize they can help them make a mind map to summarize key concepts.
In one of my classes my teens prepared a news programme in which they had to prepare the script, think of the name of the programme, arrange the setting and then film it to present it in class. They really enjoyed doing this activity since they were in control of the task and the teacher (me) just helped them with the pronunciation of some words or the grammar. Podacsts are also a great opportunity for teenagers to make their voices heard and work in groups.
See Podcasts in the classroom Project
My students' first podcast in the link below!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6mzLlZELkc
Projects allow for student choice, setting the stage for active learning and teamwork. Always provide options for students to create their own paths to learning. Being a creator is at the highest level of Bloom’s Taxonomy and will allow students to demonstrate mastery.It is a good advice to tell our students that we are all unique and we have strenghths and weaknesses. Tell them that you do not expect them to be perfect in all the activities and that the main role of the projects in class is to help them feel free, use their imagination and creativity in order to make their learning process a meaningful experience.
Show them an example of a good reflection. Nothing works better than showing a child what the expectation or goal is, so allow students to read a great reflection and discuss what they notice. Ask students to reflect at the end of the class to get students into the habit of reflecting.
- Projects
In one of my classes my teens prepared a news programme in which they had to prepare the script, think of the name of the programme, arrange the setting and then film it to present it in class. They really enjoyed doing this activity since they were in control of the task and the teacher (me) just helped them with the pronunciation of some words or the grammar. Podacsts are also a great opportunity for teenagers to make their voices heard and work in groups.
See Podcasts in the classroom Project
My students' first podcast in the link below!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6mzLlZELkc
Projects allow for student choice, setting the stage for active learning and teamwork. Always provide options for students to create their own paths to learning. Being a creator is at the highest level of Bloom’s Taxonomy and will allow students to demonstrate mastery.It is a good advice to tell our students that we are all unique and we have strenghths and weaknesses. Tell them that you do not expect them to be perfect in all the activities and that the main role of the projects in class is to help them feel free, use their imagination and creativity in order to make their learning process a meaningful experience.
- Teach reflection!
Show them an example of a good reflection. Nothing works better than showing a child what the expectation or goal is, so allow students to read a great reflection and discuss what they notice. Ask students to reflect at the end of the class to get students into the habit of reflecting.
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