It is refreshing to read about affective domain of learning
as one of the first chapters we read in this textbook. I strongly believe that
in order for anyone to learn, and enjoy learning, a positive attitude and open
mind is essential not only for the student, but the teacher as well. Through
this chapter, there were excellent points made as to why some students enjoy
reading and writing and some students do not. As teachers, it is our job to set
the student up for success. We can do this by listening to students and
discovering the reasoning behind a student’s attitude through an Elementary Reading Attitude Survey,
motivating students through a positive learning environment, and integrating
conation through activities that give students choices. I find it particularly
interesting that brain-based learning theory is recognized as a way to promote
affect. I have always heard that everything we have ever learned is stored in
our brains and it is just a matter of accessing that information when we need
it. If what Stanislas Dehaene postulates in Reading
in the Brain is true, then it is important for an educator to remember that
learning is non-linear. Reading about this theory makes me recall and access
information that I have heard before (which I stated earlier in this blog)
which helps me understand the information being presented. Teachers must learn to present
different topics in a way that engages the use of the right hemisphere of the
brain for non-linear thinking. Although, I was able to recall this information,
this will not always be easy for students to grasp when discussing a new topic.
I want to incorporate this type of teaching in my future classroom by creating
lesson plans that tap into the brain’s natural curiosity. Having students is
one simple way of being able to promote curiosity and make connections to prior
knowledge. Students being able to share ideas with other classmates is also
very important so the student can hear or see ideas that one might not have
thought of on his or her own. I can’t stress enough from my own personal
experience as a student and an educator how important it is to pair all of the
tools talked in this chapter with a positive attitude, environment and
feedback. Part of motivating a student is to make them feel comfortable with
sharing ideas and asking questions and staying positive is key.
The instructional applications the article discusses focuses
heavily on teachers needing to understand their students’ prior knowledge,
skills and competencies. I couldn’t agree more with this idea. It really
connects with what is being said about how the brain works and different
connections we make when learning new concepts and ideas. Without caring to
find out what your students know, it will be difficult to help them with their literacy
and will continue to push them farther and farther behind as they get older.
All teachers of all subjects and grade-levels must realize this and be
proactive as the article says. Although my focus is on elementary education, I
have seen high school students struggle with literacy and just be shuffled
along because teachers are not trying to truly understand their students level
of literacy. As an elementary
teacher, I will try my best to break this barrier and assess each student’s
prior knowledge and skill so they may be as successful in literacy as they can
be. It will then be my job to continue their growth of literacy by teaching
study strategies, comprehension strategies and vocabulary strategies.
Stephanie I can honestly agree with you about having a positive attitude when it comes to learning. The only way that information is stored is if the person that is receiving the information is in the right attitude. I have been in classes myself in the past and hated the thought about attending class and heard the information taught but it didnt stay in my mind. In contrast, I have learned to make myself become interested in the knowledge that is being taught and I find myself storing information and eventually loving the idea of what I've gained. I also believe that the other factor of storing information is have an opportunity to use what you have been taught. Experience is the best teacher! Great blog post Steph!
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