Serendip is an independent site partnering with faculty at multiple colleges and universities around the world. Happy exploring!

Reply to comment

Ayotola Oronti's picture

Revelations about the brain = A New Teacher in the Class

  • The brain is different in every person: Knowing that every child's brain is different will help me remember that each will definitely learn differently and at different paces. My lessons will be geared towards finding that point of need of each individual and how I can meet him/her there.

  • The brain is constantly changing: The past school year {2007/2008} I had a sudent on my list who was supposed to be a handful for me. According to his records he was very defiant, aggressive and oppositional to all his teachers. Till today we are all still wondering what could have happened over the summer that turned him around for good. He claims he went to Dominican Republic and got baptised in church. His friends think he should take one or two others with him to transform the. Such a situation tells me that since the brain is constantly changing I cannot dwell on the past in other to be able to reach the child.

  • The brain can generate output without input: This is an eye-opener I really need. I was thinking that output from the brain is only a function of the input. Now I know that my students' brains can generate their own stories with the I-Function at work even without my input. In fact their output will now affect my input.

  • The brain consists of a cognitive unconscious and an I-function/story teller: Knowing to an extent the way the I-Function and the cognitive unconscious operate, it will be possible for me to make accommodations for my students who do not see things the way I was expecting or who take longer to get a concept, or who do not get to do homework or a quiz as another student.


The summary of it all is that my approach to teaching will definitely change. I will try not to help the laid back student make excuses but I will have descent accommodations for all my students. I believe this approach will break down a lot of walls and barriers in my class with the inclusion of my building administrator and the parents of my students.

I want to start my year writing this on a conspicious part of my class: {Room 205-Getting it Less wrong} I know they will ask questions and I will get a chance to teach a mini-lesson on the brain and how different it is in everyone.

Reply

The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly.
To prevent automated spam submissions leave this field empty.
1 + 0 =
Solve this simple math problem and enter the result. E.g. for 1+3, enter 4.