Brain Research and Curriculum
Submitted by schoolboardblog... on April 3, 2008 - 2:11pm
Another part of that first presentation had implications more for curriculum than facilities. As the brain develops, it builds connections wildly and randomly until about the age of six, at which point it begins to prune what isn't used. ("Use it or lose it.") This has significant implications for initiatives to implement foreign language instruction at the primary level - something our students have told us that they strongly support.
As I mentioned yesterday, learning begins as sensory input. It then cycles through the different physical areas of the brain responsible for reflection (what does this mean? what is it similar to?); abstraction (new ideas, hypothesis development); and finally, action, where the new learning is tested - another application of "use it or lose it". This is the part of the brain that establishes learning as permanent, and is the aspect of learning that is often short-circuited by standardized testing.
This profoundly demonstrates the importance of integrating into the curriculum opportunities for students to physically demonstrate what they have learned, either through presentation, performance - integrating the arts? - or teaching what they have learned to others.
To be continued..
As I mentioned yesterday, learning begins as sensory input. It then cycles through the different physical areas of the brain responsible for reflection (what does this mean? what is it similar to?); abstraction (new ideas, hypothesis development); and finally, action, where the new learning is tested - another application of "use it or lose it". This is the part of the brain that establishes learning as permanent, and is the aspect of learning that is often short-circuited by standardized testing.
This profoundly demonstrates the importance of integrating into the curriculum opportunities for students to physically demonstrate what they have learned, either through presentation, performance - integrating the arts? - or teaching what they have learned to others.
To be continued..
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Was This Trip Funded By The Tax Payers?
Mr. Hutchinson:
Was your trip to Orlando in March paid for by the tax payers of the State College Area School District. If so, I have a very big problem with it. if not, accept my apologies and disregard the rest of this note.
When I look at the facilities at my daughter's school and speak with her teachers, I see areas screeming for resources. How was it decided a board member's trip to Florida was more vital than putting air conditioning into an elementary school class room? Are these sorts of trips common and seen as a job perk?
Our elementary schools are literally crumbling and the tax burden on our community is already high, particularly for those on fixed incomes. How can we justify this expense. When was this trip approved and by whom?
Also, if the tax payers funded this trip, I would expect a formal report on your findings and the value of the trip to the community at a board meeting, and not posted on a "blog".
The $300,000 concession stand made many of us in the community angry. Your apparent Florida vacation at our expense will make us incensed.
The board needs to address funding priorities.
Peggy
Avoiding the issue
Let's let the study of brain anatomy, neuroscience, learning theory and related curriculum issues to the experts. Instead of trying to deflect using issues that others are the SCASB are more qualified to address (including project management), why don't you use this forum to address the questions posed to you by the public that have gone unanswered in recent weeks and months?
Might we continue to ask what exactly are your qualifications to be making decisions about our school district and our tax dollars for this community?
What, if any, attempts are being made to address the waste of $5 million of tax dollars on a plan that the community opposed and which had no basis in need or priority? Has any attempt been made to contact the PA Auditor General's office to ask for an audit or an investigation of the district's administrative, project management and/or business practices?
How much did we spend to send you to DisneyWorld to sit in a 75 minute session on theories the astronaut probably learned as a college student?