Research on the brain and learning emphasizes the importance of breaking up lecture and direct instruction with activities that involve learners socially, emotionally and physically as well as intellectually. Getting learners away from their desks and moving helps them engage more readily and retain lessons...
Can a Lecture Be Experientiall? While in graduate school, I had an interesting conversation with Dr. Jasper Hunt my professor at Minnesota State University, Mankato. We were filling out conference proposal forms for an experiential education conference. He commented about the "check box" on the application...
"A teacher is one who makes himself progressively unnecessary" - Thomas Curruthers Last week I was inspired by some recent discussions with educators and counselors about educational philosophy and dug into the blog archives with a post on "What is Experiential Education". Today I am adding...
If you are reading this post, chances are you believe it is important to find ways to actively engage learners in your classroom, boardroom, or group counseling setting. However, when we have a lot of material to cover in our lesson plans or agendas some...
There are still a few weeks of summer left- and time to relax, read and gather new ideas and perspectives to enhance your practice as an educator and leader. In my last post I shared a number of books useful to educators wishing to explore...
Summer Reading List Books on the Brain and Learning: Jen Stanchfield, M.S. Summer is a great time to relax and rejuvenate. Many educators find that some time away from our students or clients is perfect for reflecting on our professional practice. It can be enjoyable...
Check out yesterday's Wood 'N' Barnes Friday Lesson Post. Inspired by Journaling in the Classroom: An educator shares how she has used journaling prompts from The Me I See, 2E with her students. Heidi Pauer, a High School Language Arts Teacher from Bow, NH, shared...
This week The Firefly Group posted an article in their online newsletter about using the Miniature Metaphors Processing Tool. Thanks to Brian Remer and The Firefly Group for your review! The Firefly Group works to create a collaborative learning environment by using playful methods. They work...
Latest Wood 'N' Barnes Friday Lesson: Thoughts on Sharing Journal Entries With Others Excerpts from The Me I See: Click Here to Read Full Post...
Processing in the Middle of the Experience Jen Stanchfield Often when we facilitate reflection with groups, we make time after the experience or lesson is completed to review and reflect. Many educators describe their reflective practice with groups as “debriefing”—a word that originated in the military...
Engaging Groups in Meaningful Dialogue and Reflection While Practicing Decision-making and Consensus Building. Jen Stanchfield My last few posts have explored the power of play to help learners build decision-making, and conflict resolution skills. I have emphasized that educators can intentionally "weave in" opportunities for groups to...
Last week I mentioned my favorite way to divide a group into teams using a “Which One?” scenario where partners practice compromise/decision-making. After reading the last entry my colleague Kristen reminded me to share my funny “success” story from using this method with students in...
In Monday's post I mentioned that I had observed a trend of children and adolescents missing out the development of important social & emotional skills because of a lack of time for "free play" without adult intervention. I believe we can intentionally bring...
In my work with students in a variety of schools and treatment programs I have noticed over recent years that they increasingly seem to struggle with group decision-making. On the playground during recess I have observed elementary students coming to ask teachers to resolve the...
What is Experiential Education? How is it relevant to my work as an educator or counselor? The experiential approach to education and group work is based on the idea that change and growth take place when people are actively (physically, socially, intellectually, emotionally) involved...
(Excerpt from Tips & Tools: The Art of Experiential Group Facilitation, Wood 'N' Barnes Publishing 2007) Group facilitation is like cooking...
Last Friday I offered another author's lesson entry for Wood 'N' Barnes Publishing Company's blog: "Bringing Learning to Life Through Reflection." Reflection brings learning to life. Educators help learners grow and change and create meaningful and lasting lessons by engaging in reflective practice. The educational philosopher...
As part of a new Wood 'N' Barnes author series every Friday in October I'm offering a new free downloadable lesson regarding experiential-based group facilitation and processing. This week's lesson focuses on increasing involvement and facilitating "buy in" and trust with group participants Click here...