U Nvr No…

Terrific Tip #21
Sharon Bowman and I would like to offer you the 3rd of a three-part Terrific Tip (# 19, 20, and 21)
Your presentations and training programs will be more interesting, energizing, and memorable for your learners if you keep in mind three important brain-science principles for effective instruction, regardless of whether the learning takes place online or in real classrooms.

Part 3   Images trump words (the human brain remembers mental images longer than printed or spoken words).

Here are a few short, quick interactive strategies to help you apply the three principles (most activities can be done in one or two minutes):

A. Doodle Drawings: Invite learners to draw a doodle, line, logo, flow chart, or cartoon representing a procedure, concept, or content piece. They label their drawing and, if time allows, explain it to another learner.

B.  Slide Graphics: Whenever possible, add an interesting, topic-related clipart or photo graphics to important slides so that you are showing an image as well as printed information. The image will be remembered longer than the information.

C.  Worksheet Graphics: Whenever possible, add photos and graphics to worksheets as well.

D.  Stories, Case Studies: Whenever possible, illustrate the information you are presenting with a short story or case study to make it more image-rich in the learners’ minds.

E.  Metaphor Magic: Use metaphors and analogies to explain procedures or interrelated information (example: “This concept is like a _______ because ____________”).  Learners can make up their own metaphors for the concepts/procedures (example: “This database procedure is like a car engine because … “).
Brain Science and Effective Instruction
By Sharon Bowman, Author: The Ten-Minute Trainer and Training from the BACK of the Room!
****************
NEW: www.wetrainthetrainers.com
Facilitator’s guide and materials for the exciting and informative three-hour “Preventing Death by Lecture” train-the-trainer workshop.

http://www.bowperson.com/ELearnPage1.html
“Involving the Learner Who Is Learning Online.” Sharon’s newest free, ten-minute micro-course with tips for interactive online instruction.

Look for Sharon’s newest book “Training from the BACK of the Room!” now available on www.amazon.com. Log onto www.Bowperson.com for a description and sample excerpts from this great resource.

Sharon Bowman and I would like to offer you a three-part Terrific Tip (# 19, 20, and 21)
Your presentations and training programs will be more interesting, energizing, and memorable for your learners if you keep in mind three important brain-science principles for effective instruction, regardless of whether the learning takes place online or in real classrooms.
Part 1   Movement trumps sitting (when learners move, more oxygen flows to the brain, enhancing brain function and learning).
Here are a few short, quick interactive strategies to help you apply the three principles (most activities can be done in one or two minutes):

A.  Stand, Stretch, and Speak: Direct learners to stand up, stretch their bodies (arms, legs, torso, neck, etc), then share with their table groups their own summaries of what they have learned so far.

B.  Bend, Breathe, and Write: Direct learners to drop a pen/pencil on the floor, and then, as they pick it up, exhale forcefully and inhale deeply. Then they write a short summary of the most important concepts they’ve learned so far - they can read their summaries to their table groups, if time allows.

C. Standing Pair-Share: Direct learners to stand and form pairs (or triads). Give them one or two minutes to discuss important facts, major ideas, questions they still have, or whatever is most topic-related. If time allows, have a few pairs volunteer to tell the group a summary of their short discussion.

D.  Mini-Walkabout: Direct learners to form standing pairs/triads and then to take a “walkabout” around the room or around their table, talking about how they plan to use what they’ve learned or how the topic relates to their respective jobs. When they return to their starting point, they thank their “walkabout partners” and sit down. Playing upbeat music makes this activity more lively and fun.

E. Ball Toss: Direct learners to stand and take turns tossing a soft object (Koosh or nerf ball, stuffed animal, bath sponge – anything soft and throwable) to each other. The person who catches the ball states an important topic-related fact, and then tosses the ball to someone else to do the same. After a few ball tosses, thank the participants and have them sit down.
Brain Science and Effective Instruction
By Sharon Bowman, Author: The Ten-Minute Trainer and Training from the BACK of the Room!
****************
NEW: www.wetrainthetrainers.com
Facilitator’s guide and materials for the exciting and informative three-hour “Preventing Death by Lecture” train-the-trainer workshop.

http://www.bowperson.com/ELearnPage1.html
“Involving the Learner Who Is Learning Online.” Sharon’s newest free, ten-minute micro-course with tips for interactive online instruction.

Look for Sharon’s newest book “Training from the BACK of the Room!” now available on www.amazon.com. Log onto www.Bowperson.com for a description and sample excerpts from this great resource.

Create, innovate, and grow by taking time to relax, re-energize, and renew. Stephen Covey calls it, “sharpening the saw.” Whatever you call it, do it!

Many people who tell me they just don’t have time or that they can’t afford to take a vacation. I think this is a missed opportunity. We all need to unplug from our day-to-day routines and find a new rhythm.

Phyllis Van, Instructional Designer, suggests that if a several-day vacation is not possible, how about a “staycation?”

Stay at a park all day, stay at a library, stay at…you get the picture; break your routine and do something different.

I go to Maine every summer to kayak, swim, hike, explore, read, and just sit and relax. What are you planning to do to re-energize yourself?

Remember, taking time to recharge brings you more energy!

Marcia in Maine 

Remember the 10 minute rule: stop lecturing after 10 minutes and give your learners a chance to review and apply it.

Pair-shares and small group discussions are fast and fun ways to increase interaction and get your learners talking about the topic. Studies show that interaction increases their retention level.

Here are some tried-and-true statements you can use to kick off the discussions when pair-shares are appropriate: (more…)