Instruction+nad+Curriculum+for+21st+Century+Brains

Instruction and Curriculum for 21st Century Brains Jay McTighe and Judy Willis, MD, M.Ed. jaymctighe.com RADTeach.com

//Judy Willis- The Brain Research//

What makes video games so addicting? - How can we apply this to school instruction? Neuroscience- The brain seeks: patterns, pleasure Challenge at their level (achievable challenge) Immediate feedback Reward is greater challenge Incremental progress is acknowledged
 * Compelling characteristics of video games:**

They buy in to the goal 80% they are failing Persevere with challenge use immediate feedback consult on-line help
 * Gamers:**

//Correlations to Neuroscience:// Harder work is what is required for our brains to maintain interest and motivation.
 * Buy-in-Goal
 * Achievable Goal
 * Incremental Progress


 * Dopamine Boosters:**
 * Movement
 * Positive peer interactions
 * Humor
 * Choice
 * Optimistic thoughts
 * Intrinsic Satisfaction of correct prediction and there is feedback that it is correct.

Accurate predictions activate dopamine release (pleasure) in the brain. The brain //wants to make prediction// and //needs to know the predictions are correct// and //learns from feedback// because the brain rewires to be able to get the next prediction correct.

The Dopamine Reward System: Prefrontal Cortex (Where prior knowledge is pulled and predictions are made) Dopamine is sent there to reward the brain for being correct. Less dopamine is released when predictions are incorrect, but the brain will rewire to store prior knowledge to endure being correct next time. Timely feedback is essential to the rewiring and the dopamine release. Show relevance in learning to demonstrate why we need to learn to apply. Use Youtube! Prefrontal Cortex _"CEO" of the brain. The place where long-term memory is made. Executive Functions: Networks of PFC develop with age.
 * Analysis
 * Prioritizing
 * Considered Decision Making
 * Delay if immediate gratification
 * Goal Planning
 * Risk Assessment
 * Judgment
 * Adaptability

Cat - 3% Dog - 10% Humans - 20% The Brain's Network of Executive Functioning: Evaluate new information Modify understanding as information increases and "facts" change. Use new technology as it becomes Neuroplasticity: The changes in the brain. Myelination when synapses are used, pruning for those that are not used. Myelin thickening = faster processing i.e., more practice = better skills "Practice makes Permanent"

We need to give students opportunities to train the Executive Functions Some ways: Defend a personal opinion with facts Discuss a questions with no "right" answer. Predict what an opposing view

//Jay McTighe - Understanding by Design (UbD) Grant Wiggins and Jay McTighe (Co-authors)//

Teach and Asses for understanding - E.Q.'s: What is worth understanding in what we teach? How will we know that students really understand? 6 Facets of Assessing Understanding: Explanation, Application, Perspective, Self-knowledge (meta-cognitive), Empathy, Interpretation (making sense or meaning of something..) -How do you define it? -What are indicators of understanding? Being able to apply knowledge to another situation. Being able to explain or teach it someone else. -How can someone "know" something but not "understand" it? Go through the processes or regurgitate information with out ability to explain "why" it is the answer in context.
 * What is understanding? **

3 stages if Backward Design: 1. Identify desired results - Essential Questions to keep long term goals in mind of understanding and transfer. List specific skills. 2. Determine acceptable evidence 3. Plan learning experiences & instruction

UbD Planning Template:
 * Standard(s): ||  ||
 * Unsderstandings || Essential Questions ||
 * Assessment Evidence ||  ||
 * Learning Activities ||  ||

Classroom Tasks Must Have:
 * Clarity:** Clear goals, known tasks, public criteria, models or examples
 * Utility / Relevance:** //"Why do we have to learn this?"// Big Ideas, Essential Questions, Authentic Tasks, Personal/Cultural Connections
 * Perceived Capacity to Succeed:** Responsive teaching, Personalized feedback and support, Celebrating achievment and growth.