Multitasking is a big part of the modern world. People are constantly doing two things at once; they send emails when they are spending time with their loved ones, they work out while texting a friend and they cook while they check Facebook.
However, all of this multi-tasking is bad for your brain. Recent studies have found that multitasking increases the production of cortisol, a stress hormone, and adrenaline, which can overstimulate the brain. This can cause a “mental fog” that makes it hard for you to concentrate or focus.
I think I’ve mentioned how bad multitasking is for you before. For myself, I’m becoming a fan of the Pomodoro technique, where you have a time and focus on work for a set number of minutes. It works well for me.
I decided to focus on learning spaces this year in the classroom and around my school. It led me to create a makerspace in my school’s library, but it also led me to take a hard look at the classroom. Last summer, I visited my classroom and decided to change it around. The entire process…
Sir Ken Robinson said the current education system is designed to create conformist and compliant students, but this approach doesn’t honor the diversity and creativity inherent in human life. Source: Sir Ken Robinson: How to Create a Culture For Valuable Learning | MindShift | KQED News Our society was built on the diversity of its…
Still, teachers can staunch boredom. Mehta and Fine (read sidebar) discovered that even in underperforming schools where boredom was near universal, “there were individual teachers who were creating classrooms where students were really engaged and motivated.” These teachers trusted students to sometime control the class. They tried to learn from their students as much as they…
Our list of the best STEM toys for preschoolers 2017 is carefully structured to include toys which provide a rounded curriculum for your child. From learning to code, to engineering basics, to learning about scientific equipment, we’ve got it covered! Source: Top 5 Best STEM Toys for Preschoolers 2017 | Coding & Engineering I’ve listed the…
…a year ago we called for better methods for evaluating educational apps to help states, districts and schools have more transparency into what technology was really making a difference for teaching and learning. The need to make good decisions based on evidence, as opposed to relying on marketing hype or the buzz among a small…
In search of inspiration or hard-won strategies for improving student learning? A 10-minute video may hold some answers for educators. TED Talks are short, informative, and often eye-opening talks given by leaders in their fields addressing all kinds of challenges. Many TED Talks are given by leading educators, or at least have important messages related…
