Friday, March 9, 2012

Reflection #2- Explorations in MBT


Reflect on the content presented in Weeks 4-6 and how it relates to your current job responsibilities. What would you highlight or share with your colleagues at this time with regards to your learning in this course?

We are now delving into the Brain Targets (BTs) associated with the Brain Targeted Teaching (BTT) method.  The emotional, physical, and how to best design learning for students are the BTs in focus these past 3 weeks.

I work in the classroom with students so these BTs relate directly to what I do each day with them.  Although my title is Technology Integration Specialist, I am also a teacher.  Grades K-8 come to my Media Lab for computer/technology classes, but I primarily work with grades 6, 7, and 8.  I am beginning to look more carefully at how each of these BTs is currently in practice within my classroom with the thought of being flexible and changing things soon.

My goal, once some free time opens up, is to create some one page “cheat sheets” that highlight what I am learning though this course.  Starting with basic brain structure/function and working through each BT, the sheets would contain images, bullet points, definitions, best practices, etc.  I would like to present these at our weekly staff meetings with a quick 15 minute overview of the sheet and the content.

Although this is not ideal and does not allow for the presentation of the topic in-depth, this method would provide basic information and a conduit for discussion.  With my responsibilities with technology in the school, I can additionally provide resources and links to more information to staff as well.  This is something that I believe the administration and faculty will be very receptive to.

2 comments:

  1. Hi Christine,
    Each week on the Discussion Board you’ve posted so many, many helpful websites and TED links. I can only imagine what an amazing resource you must be for the staff at your school! Your idea of sharing the “Cheat Sheets” on what you’re learning about the brain is just one more example of this. I notice the “Twitter” feed on the right side of your blog. I’ve not tried Twitter yet, but if I ever do it will be to receive your posts since I know they will be informative.

    I also noticed your Pixel a Day blog. A friend of mine who is doing the 365 Project posts her photos on her Facebook Wall. I like the blog idea much better. ..much better photos than those tiny FB thumbnails.

    I am looking forward to hearing your “take” on the brain and technology. Here is a good reference for you on that topic:
    Natural Learning for a Connected World: Education, Technology, and the Human Brain

    http://www.amazon.com/Natural-Learning-Connected-World-Technology/dp/0807751898/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1333069632&sr=1-1

    Keep all those great resources coming!
    Best regards,
    Sharon

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for the kind words Sharon!

      I do tend to overwhelm my fellow co-workers with resources and ideas! Each tends to have an email folder just to keep the little notes I send!

      Those "cheat sheets" are something I can see in my mind - I hope to get some time this summer to put something together. It could be so beneficial to educators in general and I'm always happy to share.

      My 365 project was never finished. The pressure of having to take a photo each day was daunting, especially when I love to take GOOD photos and didn't feel there was enough time to do that every day. You could tell your friend about an online calendar that is nice for the project. Shuttercal lets you upload a picture a day for an online monthly view of your photos. http://www.shuttercal.com/

      And thanks for the book idea - I've put it in my Amazon cart!

      If you do decide to try Twitter, I can help you out and get you started with some great folks to follow. Amazing circles of people ready to help, share, etc. It's like an international teacher's room that is open 24/7!

      Christina

      Delete