PREREQUISITE: Bachelor’s
degree in education or POI
COURSE LOCATION: Course is
designed for online delivery, but may be adapted to the classroom.
REQUIRED MATERIALS FOR
COURSE:
Text: "Brain-Based Learning: The New Science of
Teaching & Learning" by Eric Jensen. Publisher: The Brain Store, San Diego, CA
ISBN # 1-890460-05-2
Software: Inspiration (grade 6 to adult) or
Kidspiration (K-5) mind mapping software. You may select the version that you
feel will best suit your needs. The software is available through Inspiration
Software http://inspiration.com/home.cfm. The software may also be available
through your college store or through other educational software vendors.
DESCRIPTION:
The research of neuroscientists continues to
add to our knowledge of the optimal learning environment. The new knowledge
continues to bring about discussion among educators and encourages the review of
the methodology used in curriculum development, assessment and instruction.
This course will explore such topics as how learning takes place within the
brain and how emotions, senses, memory and motivation interact in the learning
process.
OBJECTIVES:
1.
You will gain new insights that help you to provide increased
opportunities for learning for each student in your classes.
2.
You will be able to define brain based learning and develop an
understanding of how the brain learns.
3.
You will share and compare prior knowledge, new information, personal
observations and reflections to help your classmates develop new strategies for
teaching.
4.
You will develop an understanding of how children with multiple ranges of
ability learn and gain insights about how to provide instruction that supports
their development.
5.
You will understand how the pupils’ physiology leads to different
approaches to learning and develop ways to eliminate some of the barriers to
learning by adapting instruction to meet their diverse needs.
6.
You will develop additional instructional strategies that will help you
to encourage the students’ development of critical thinking skills and problem
solving skills.
7.
You will learn from and share with your classmates insights about how to
create a learning environment that encourages positive social interaction,
active learning and self motivation.
8.
You will develop new skills for the effective use of verbal and nonverbal
communication methods to create active inquiry, collaboration and interaction
among your students.
REQUIREMENTS:
Coursework is comprised of:
1. Unit readings
2. Unit action assignments (7 action
assignments @ 10 points each=70 points)
3. Unit class discussions (7 unit
discussions @ 10 points each=70 points)
4.
Mind
Mapping Project and Discussion (40 points)
5. Group project and Discussion (100
points)
6. Reflection paper (20 points)
EVALUATION:
See following pages or individual assignments
for evaluation criteria. There are a total of 300 possible points for the
coursework. Your final grade will be based on the points that you have
accumulated. The accumulated points will be divided by 300 to determine your
final grade. For instance, if you have accumulated a total of 250 points your
grade will be 250 divided by 300 (final grade of 83 for a B). The figure will
be converted to a letter grade using the following chart.
Grade
Equivalents
A = 94-100
A- = 90-93
B+ = 86-89
B =
83-85
B- = 80-82
C+ = 76-79
C = 73-75
C- = 70-72
D+ = 66-69
D = 63-65
D- = 60-62
Fail = 59 or below
Course Schedule
|
Unit |
CHAPTERS/
READINGS/ ASSIGNMENTS |
TOPIC |
|
Unit 1 |
1. Read assigned websites.
2. Action assignment
3. Unit discussion
|
Review of teaching and learning
theory/styles. Behavioral & cognitive theories of learning. (Identifying
your teaching style.
|
|
Unit 2 |
1. Jensen text: Preface and chapters 1 & 2.
2. Websites as assigned in unit
3. Action assignment
4. Unit discussion |
Introduction: what is brain based learning? |
|
Unit 3 |
1. Jensen text: chapters 3,4,5, 6 & 7
2. Websites as assigned in unit.
3. Action assignment
4. Unit discussion |
An Introduction to the brain: the physical
side of learning |
|
Unit 4
|
1. Jensen text: chapters 8,9,10,11,12 & 13
2. Websites as assigned in unit.
3. Action assignment
4. Unit discussion |
The learning process and the learning
environment
|
|
Unit 5 |
1. Jensen text chapters 14, 15, 16, 17,18
2. Websites as assigned in unit.
3. Action assignment
4. Unit discussion
5. Mind/concept mapping project
6. Mind/concept mapping project discussion |
The brain, emotions and learning.
Concept/Mind Mapping Project Due. |
|
Unit 6 |
1. Jensen text chapters 19, 20, 21, 22, 23.
2. Websites as assigned in unit.
3. Group project presentation
4. Discussion of group project presentation |
Creating the brain based classroom.
(presentations of group projects) |
|
Unit 7 |
1. Jensen text chapters 24 & 25.
2. Websites as assigned in unit.
3. Action assignment
4. Unit discussion |
Assessment
(peer review of group projects)
Reflection Paper Due |
Title
| Intro |
Syllabus |
Bibliography |
Mind Mapping |
Mapping on Web |
Web Resources |
Papers |
Additional Resources
| Unit 3 | Unit
3 Resources |
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