Cool Brain Research: Judy Willis

What:
I chose to research Judy Willis. She started researching the effect of what was taught in the classroom and the effect it has on students' long term memories. Most of what she found was a packed curriculum and teaching aimed just for high test scores. When she found this led to students forgetting most of the information, she decided to do more research. She started researching learning-centered brain research and the correlation of this with classroom strategies. She has researched the neural system and has come up with R.A.D., which stand for Reticular activating system, Amygdala, and Dopamin.

So What:
Her research is aimed at student reaching their ultimate potential and not forgetting everything they learned after they have taken a test. She has found new ways of looking at the brain.and how it learns best. With this new finding, she has found ways to help students learn best and have more of a want to learn. Her teaching practices also encourage students to use their heart and mind to do all they can to learn as much as they can.

Now What?
I found Judy's research very helpful and it made a lot of sense. I was not in elementary and high school very long ago, and much of what she found, applied to me. I would study for what was going to be on a test, not really focusing on anything else that was learned. Her new research of the brain open up many opportunities for teachers to better their student. I hope to use this in my classroom, to help my student reach their full potential. I will not teach specifically for a test, but hope my student learn well enough to still do well on their tests. But also, I hope they go beyond the test, and remember everything that was taught.

Hidden Assignment

List 2-3 specific goals you have for this course.

One of the main goals I hope to receive from this course is to gain a better understanding of how students learn, and the different ways different students learn. Along with this, another goal I hope to accomplish is to find an good way of getting to know students and help them learn in the most effective way possible. I also hope I can reach each student and show them the attention they need, and because each student is different, I hope to learn useful ways of doing this as well.

Describe your weekly preparation plan. Be specific. What will you do each day of the week to prepare for this course.

I will read the chapter throughout the week. If I read it to early, it may not be fresh in my mind for the next class period. But if I try and cram it in the night before, it won't really sink in either. So I hope to take my time reading the chapter from Wednesday to Friday, taking thorough notes. I will also report on my blog after each class, most likely that night, so I do not forget the things that stuck out to me in my mind that class period.

Outline the study strategies that you will use to understand the material.

We have already gone over the note taking strategy of Get Ready, Read, Reduce, and Retain, and I plan on following this guide to help me most understand the material. I agree with setting a study length to help me retain the most, and also stopping at points to make sure I really understand what's going on.

Explain the process you will follow if you do not understand a topic.

I will try and read more about it and figure it out myself. If I am unable to, I will either ask you, the teacher, but if you are unavailable, I will ask another classmate.

I will reach my goals in this course by not only attending every class I can and doing all the assignments, but paying close attention and taking in everything that is being said and taught. Also, I plan on taking my time with the assignments and making sure I really understand what I'm doing. I also hope to take in the experience and wisdom from you and from other that can help me in the future.