Attention and Survival ValueJensen Chapter 16

Making Meaning in New Information

Humans organically want to find meaning in most everything in life

Too much new information at once hinders the process of finding meaning

Students brains can either be in attention with the teacher, or making meaning of information

The brain can not do both at the same time

How to Facilitate Making Meaning in the Classroom

Prior to teaching new material, ask students questions.

Provide “what if” situations

Give the students brain time to process information and “connect the dots” of what was just taught

This process can only occur during time when students are not being taught

Have students reflect on lessons in journals

Attention ShiftsStudents brains often and uncontrollably shift

attention internally and externally

External attention is when a student is focusing on what the teacher or others is saying

Internal attention is when students process information

Some students have longer attention spans then others

The Optimal State for Learning

The best learning occurs when the learning environment has low stress levels

The optimal state of learning is when a person becomes absorbed in an activity

No self conscious feelings or concept of time are present

Learning is optimal when a persons skill, attention, environment, and will coincide (Csikszentmihalyi 1990)

The Best State for Learning

Students are curious and looking forward to the material

Material should be at a mid range difficulty

Students should be focused on learning and doing

Not focused on “how they’re doing” with the material

Most Common Student States

Fearful

Anxious

Bored

Frustrated

Confused

(Jensen 139)

Most Desirable Student States

Anticipation

Excitement

Curiosity

Self- Convincer

Enlightened

(Jensen 139)

How to Help Students Maintain Focus and

InterestFun Activities- energizing game, stretch, group

work

Environment- Emotionally safe, well lit, colorful

Multimedia Sources- Show a video, incorporate music

People- Change speakers, peer teaching opportunities

Tone of class- Shift in theme, goals, schedule

Focusing- Breathing exercises, visualization

(Jensen 139)

Matching Challenge and Mastery

Students brain activity increases when it is challenged

If an activity is too challenging, the student will become anxious

If an activity lacks a challenge, the student will become bored

When a student is presented with just the right amount of challenge is when they are in an optimal learning state

What Brain Waves Can Tell Us

We can look at EEG (Electroencephalography) readings from the brain and see the different stages that a student may be in and how effectively they may be processing information