With the world’s current situation, Whole Brain Teaching piques teachers’ and parents’ interests. It’s popular for keeping students engaged no matter what classroom setting. Their strategies involve maintaining students’ attention throughout the class. Seasoned educators, like those from Common to the Core, continuously praise and promote the results of the famous teaching technique. There’s just something fascinating about the results of this method. It keeps everyone at the edge of their seats! Dive into our analysis of Whole Brain Teaching and see what we’ve learned so far.
Get to Know the Meaning Behind Whole Brain Teaching
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Just what is Whole Brain Teaching? What made it so popular? These are the initial questions that parents ask from teachers who are planning to incorporate Whole Brain Teaching in their classes. The teaching method is relatively new but it’s been proven effective even with online classes. The whole concept centers on activating students’ brains for maximum involvement. Some might say it’s not best for introverted students. However, seasoned teachers would disagree.
The techniques surrounding Whole Brain Teaching all boils down to neuroscience. The steps that teachers follow all aim to synchronize with their students’ understanding. This results in a more collaborative and active classroom. It’s understandable why most teachers adapt to this teaching method. They’re able to determine the wants and interests of their students. They can then identify what they lack. Don’t be afraid to use the internet for sources. The use of online productivity tools like a word counter or a grammar checker does not mean incompetency. It’s perfectly okay to use any tool at your disposal. The collaborative environment boosts the teachers’ focus on the students who need more attention without affecting the progress of others.
Visualize a Whole Brain Teaching Classroom
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Keeping students active in class is no easy feat. It’s why educators are always open to modern teaching methods. That’s where Whole Brain Teaching comes into play. The rules and strategies are all simple yet very effective. Because of this, teachers easily spot who among their students need more attention. Everyone manages to keep up with the lesson plan without any worries.
Imagine teachers giving their students a writing assignment. How do they keep the students from getting bored? How can they keep them from wavering from the topic? What online activities should they prepare to boost their student’s enthusiasm?
The answer to all that is simple. Make your instructions fun. Engage with students with games and entertaining activities. Despite the current need for online classes, you can still keep students amused. Make use of your abundant online resources. You and students work together on internet games like Scrabble word finder or Snakes and Ladders with an educational twist. Give students more interesting assignments that boost cognitive skills. That’s how Whole Brain Learning works.
Discover the Features of Whole Brain Teaching Strategies and Techniques
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When it comes to Whole Brain Teaching, there are four simple rules that teachers follow. They apply the strategy to their lesson plans discreetly. Students are subtly trained to engage in class. They become willing participants. You don’t need to worry about introverted students. The methods encourage teachers to give equal attention and treatment to all students. The four rules work efficiently for online classes as well. To give you a better understanding of things, we enumerated and defined the pattern they use.
Class-Yes or Attention Getter
Class-Yes grabs the attention of students almost instantly. It’s why it’s called Attention Getter. The teacher instructs the students to say, “Yes,” whenever she or he says “Class.” Then, everyone stops what they’re doing to focus on their instructor. Finally, they’re tasked to fold their hands. The simple gestures stimulate their brains. The willing participants stay alert during class and answer when necessary. With the need for online classes, teachers could introduce the use of a mind map maker. It encourages students to focus on lesson topics. With this rule, students don’t feel forced to comply. It’s a subtle yet effective strategy.
Mirror Words or Brain Engager
Mirror Words keep the students energized. Once the teacher says, “Mirror Words,” the students can imitate him or her as the class goes on. The rule works a bit like Class-Yes. It’s called Brain Engager because it encourages a fun teacher-student relationship. The rule promotes a healthy classroom environment. The students become more comfortable with their teacher and classmates. It aims to inspire students to speak more in class.
Direct Instruction
Direct Instruction gives teachers the chance to break their walls for a minute. Within that time frame, they’re supposed to talk about an entirely different topic. This promotes a friendlier atmosphere in the classroom. After grabbing the students’ focus, the teachers incorporate their lesson into the conversation. It’s their chance to apply and introduce essay-type school work. Students won’t have to mind submitting their work. The more enjoyable the topic is, the more willing they become. Incorporating online tools like a word counter or a map maker keeps students interested. Adding book reading assignments or movie reviews comes in handy for this rule too.
Teach OK or Collaborative Learning
Teach OK allows students to review what they learned. The teachers give their students the space to interpret the lesson in their way. The limitations of online classes make this rule tricky to apply. Using games like a word finder for Collaborative Learning helps teachers in keeping their students entertained in class.
One of the steps here also includes observing each student’s work. The students take on the platform. Despite these constraints, teachers still managed to integrate this important rule. And that is recitation with a twist. All they have to do is keep their students from being horrified from having their names called out.
Connect Online Classes with Active Learning
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Whole Brain Teaching’s pattern revolves around active learning. Teachers shouldn’t ignore those small instances where the student asks for help. You’re not playing favorites. The results of the pattern urge introverted students to be confident in asking for help. They don’t have to be shy. Encourage students to stick to rules without being too strict. Suggest the use of online word count tools to help them reach the word count limit of their essay assignments. Also, don’t discourage them from grammar checkers or formula calculators because those online tools help them understand the lesson as well. The whole process helps them get to know their students no matter where they may be. The strategies are simple, effective, and very meaningful for both teachers and students.
Keep them Occupied with Collaborative Learning and Student Engagement
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Whole Brain Learning’s whole goal centers on collaborative learning. This may sound difficult especially with everyone stuck at home. Teachers resolve this by keeping their communications with students open. Chat boxes exist for a reason. Encourage students in sending private messages when needed. Be the friend they need. The current situation takes a toll on almost every student’s mental health. However, remember to keep your barriers up and encourage your students to bond with their respective families. Teachers can integrate their lessons in chats too.
Whole Brain Teaching is a Complex Learning Process
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At first, Whole Brain Learning centers on engagement during classes. It proves a difficult feat when it comes to online learning. A quick internet search offers various online tools that make schoolwork easier for students. Easier school work becomes boring for them. Students lose interest when everything is easy. However, keep in mind that everything is at the teachers’ disposal too. The learning process goes both ways with Whole Brain Learning. We gave you all the information you need to connect this intriguing teaching method. Just shake things up and you’ll be fine.