QCAL 2009 STATE CONFERENCEQCAL 2009 STATE CONFERENCE

Feel Good, Think Smart:Feel Good, Think Smart: the role of emotion in learningthe role of emotion in learning

Merv EdmundsMerv EdmundsHuman Givens AustraliaHuman Givens Australia

• Preparation for action

emotions …

• Pre-thought, pre-language

• Linked to emotional needs– emotional support– shared perception of reality– control & autonomy– meaning & significance

We evaluate what is happening in a way that is consistent with the emotion, thus justifying and maintaining the emotion. …(and) discount or ignore knowledge that could disconfirm the emotion.

Seeing it done …

Ideological framework …

Re-defining success – from nominal, numerical and competitiveto:

• visible

• tangible

• equitable

The biology of learning is providing some powerful answers that, in turn, raise serious questions about whether our schools are able to prepare children for life in the 21st century.

John Abbott & Terry Ryan The Unfinished Revolution

Having a mentor …

Exploring …

The one thing we have as human beings is this extraordinary power of imagination and creativity, and the ability to solve problems … this isn't some whimsical idea.

Sir Ken Robinson

Operacy: the skill of doing

The idiom of education is that it is enough to build up the information base and that action is then easy. It is not. Operacy gives status to the thinking involved in doing.

Edward De Bono

Reflection

Cognitive apprenticeship seeks to engage learners in real-world scenarios in which they act and interact to achieve useful outcomes. It has a number of strengths as a learning environment:

• authentic, • goal-oriented activities; • access to guidance; • everyday engagement in problem solving; • intrinsic reinforcement.

Sandra Kerka

Cognitive apprenticeship has six dimensions:

• modelling

• scaffolding

• reflection

• coaching

• exploration

• articulation

Beforehand I was extremely nervous. However, once I was in front of the review panel, I focused on being ‘in role’ and tried to forget my nerves. The overall result was that I was able to give a much more positive and confident performance.

Taking on a virtual identity constitutes a form of identification with the virtual character’s world, story, and perspectives that become a strong learning device at a number of different levels.

…when the learners are so caught up in their goals that they don't realise they are learning or how much they are learning or where they actively seek new learning.

Feel Good, Think Smart: Feel Good, Think Smart: the role of emotion in learningthe role of emotion in learning

• emotion before thoughtemotion before thought

• recognise emotional needsrecognise emotional needs

• re-define successre-define success

• real-world scenarios real-world scenarios