The BTT (Brain Targeted Teaching) Puzzle

The video “Brain Targeted Teaching Model Overview” was assigned viewing for week 1 of our Explorations in Mind, Brain, and Teaching course.  At just over 9 minutes, the video gives a brief overview of the BTT model with the narration of our instructor Dr. Mariale Hardiman.

Watching the video, I jotted down notes that included my own questions on implementing this model in my teaching environment.  As a middle school computer/technology teacher that is also very interested in the brain, here are my thoughts:

Brain Target 1 – Emotional Climate for Learning

·         Connected & emotionally engaged = more powerful learning

·         Students want to be treated fairly, feel safe, loved, OK to take risks

THOUGHTS

At the mid school age, a high emotional window of development, how do we teach that it is OK to fail and to take risks within the safety of peer environment?

Brain Target 2 – Physical Learning Environment

·         Novelty is important to learning

·         We are attracted to novelty

THOUGHTS

How do I make the media (computer) lab more novel?  More comfortable?  Do I need to smooth the tech edges and bring in other elements?

Brain Target 3 – Designing the Learning Experience

·         The brain is a processor that likes to see the WHOLE first, wants the gist, not bit by bit.

·         A big picture of what students will learn is important so each small activity fits and makes sense.

·         Visual organizers of the entire learning experience.

THOUGHTS

I think that I can do this with the computer classes and like the idea very much.  Are there any examples of something like this for this curriculum?

Brain Target 4 – Teaching for Mastery (skills, content, concepts)

·         Repetition, more times done = more in long term memory

·         Must do this with different activities

·         Arts used as vehicle for content to make it come alive

THOUGHTS

How can I do this more with computers/technology?  The art studio is adjacent to the media lab and staff is willing to be involved, I just need to actively find activities that merge the two.

Brain Target 5 – Application & Extension of Knowledge

·         Real teaching = applying knowledge meaningfully in real world context

·         Innovative thinkers

THOUGHTS

How do I expand the depth of projects?  Is PBL or CBL (project based and challenge based learning) an effective method?  Do I devote more time for these?

Brain Target 6 – Evaluating Learning

·         Using a variety of methods and outcomes for assessment

THOUGHTS

This is something I am already doing, however can always improve upon.  I would like to add this more in our overall curriculum (tech integration) and teach the staff how important this is.  Any ideas are welcome.