(By Katie Lepi)
Understanding how learning happens is a huge part of teaching. If you don’t understand what needs to happen for learning to occur, how can your students learn? We’ve heard it SO many times, especially as of late – you can’t just throw information at your students anymore, you have to teach them how to process it so that they can learn how to learn.
The Four Brain Essential Learning Steps
Step 1: Introducing The Material
Introduce the topic to the students. They may then begin exploring what they know about the subject. Can be very broad or a more specific sub-topic, and can be in any type of subject matter.
Step 2: Collaborative Brainstorming
Students bring up what they already know about the topic. A variety of exercises are used to address different learning styles. Students piggyback off of questions and ideas from their peers. The class then comes up with a working plan together.
Step 3: Developing a Learning Plan
Students interpret what they’ve learned and figure out an application. They learn why the material is relevant to the class both as individuals and on the whole. Students develop a plan of action as a group to reinforce what they’ve learned. Each student contributes through his or her strengths.
Step 4: Taking Action
Students problem solve, take risks, and learn cooperatively with a common goal. Action can be expressed through writing, music, visual displays, and more. Students then decide if the action is appropriate for just the class, or for community members as well (other students, parents, etc). All students involved are able to showcase their strengths and contribute.
