I was inspired to repost this article from the blog archives (August of 2014) after using it in a particularly successful active review session with a group of students today. It is one my favorites to use with learners of all ages for blending active...
This group questionnaire has multiple purposes: rapport building, reflection, data gathering, brainstorming, context setting, and academic or training content review/assessment. The playful, informal, small-group sharing and friendly competition engage and motivate participants to join in. Because it is so participant- directed it is ideal...
Wood N Barnes Publishing Co. is continuing to share excerpts from my new book: Inspired Educator, Inspired Learner: Experiential, Brain-Based Activities and Strategies to Engage, Motivate, Build Community, and Create Lasting Lessons. This week's article on differentiated instruction combines discussion of a pedagogical concept with...
Inspired Educator Inspired Learner: Experiential, Brain-Based Activities and Strategies to Engage, Motivate, Build Community, and Create Lasting Lessons I am thrilled to announce the release of my new book Inspired Educator, Inspired Learner published by Wood 'N' Barnes Publishing Company. The book explores experiential, brain-based techniques...
This time of year I find myself facilitating vision and goal setting retreats, training programs and project oriented planning meetings with many schools and organizations. Time and time again I find the "Gallery Walk" activity a useful tool when I want to gather information on...
The teachers, corporate trainers, high school advisors and other educators I work with are constantly trying to create a balance of learning in their classes and groups. These interactive strategies help learners practice, review, synthesize and discuss academic material. Through playful collaborative learning teachers increase...
This is the second post in a series that offers ideas for actively involving learners from the first moment they enter the room for a workshop, training or classroom lesson. In my last post I shared information put forward by neuroscientists promoting the idea that...
“The beginning is the most important part of the work”. -Plato Starting Off with Style: The events or activities experienced the first time learners are exposed to information greatly impact their ability to retain the information. John Medina (2008), author of Brain Rules states: “If you are...
This is a follow up on a popular post from last fall that offered ways to actively engage learners in the classroom, boardroom, training or group counseling setting. Research on the brain and learning emphasizes the importance of breaking up lecture and direct instruction with activities...