What defines a “brain compatible” versus a “brain antagonistic” classroom? Central to creating brain compatible classrooms is providing students with meaningful and relevant challenges that engage them in using the skills and knowledge acquired to solve problems or create products. During this workshop, Garfield will explore how the use of authentic inputs and outputs can create rich brain compatible learning opportunities for all students with a focus on how students are smart rather than how smart students are.
Audience: All levels
Resources:
- The Critical Thinking Consortium
- Carol Dweck’s Mindset book and website, article on achievement and motivation
- Current brain research: Jay Giedd, Pat Wolfe’s Brain Matters, David Shernoff
Apps:
- Locating & Selecting Resources
Gapminder – Visualization software for animation of statistics
Wolfram Alpha– Computational knowledge engine
Dogpile– Search engine
Imdb.com– Information on films, TV shows, and video games
Flocabulary– Educational songs and videos for students
Google Earth– Virtual globe and map
Newseum – Front pages from around the world - Accessing Ideas
Google Docs– Site to create and share work online
Yolink– Search technology that looks through links and documents for information
Edublogs– Education blogging site
Blogger– Blogging site
WorldVuze– Site where students learn from other students around the world
Wikispaces– Wiki
Wordle– Generating “word clouds” - Uncovering & Interpreting Ideas
Mindjet– Generating ideas and organizing information
Smart Ideas– Visual aid creating software
Popplet– Organizing ideas
Inspiration– Creating visual maps, outlines, and presentations
LinoIt– Creating visual collaborations
Diigo– Personal knowledge managing site
Weebly– Aid in making websites - Representing Learning
Pagemaker– Page layout program
Premiere Elements– Video editing software
GarageBand- Music creation software
Photoshop– Photo editing software
Photo Story– Photo presentation software
Capzles- Multimedia creation software
Movie Maker– Movie making software
Bitstrips.com– Comic (cartoon) creating program
iMovie– Movie making software
Canva– Graphic design program
Comic Life– Comic (digital photo) creating program
Weebly– Aid in making websites
Voice Thread– Online collaborative communication tool
Glogster– Creating Posters
Smore – online flyers
Related OTF Connects sessions:
Creating Brain Compatible Classrooms
Developing a Cascading Curriculum