teaching executive functioning skills using google tools and apps

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LearningWorks for Kids Teaching Executive Functioning Skills Using Google Tools and Apps Randy Kulman Email: randy@learningworks for kids.com Twitter: @rkulman Pinterest: pinterest.com/rkulman EdTechTeam New England Summit

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Page 1: Teaching Executive Functioning Skills Using Google Tools and Apps

LearningWorks

for KidsTeaching Executive Functioning Skills

Using Google Tools and Apps

Randy Kulman

Email: randy@learningworks for kids.com

Twitter: @rkulman

Pinterest: pinterest.com/rkulman

EdTechTeam New England Summit

Page 2: Teaching Executive Functioning Skills Using Google Tools and Apps

Take-Aways

• Brief review of Executive Functions (EFs) / Thinking Skills

• Why EFs are crucial, particularly to kids with ADHD, LD, ASD, and Alternative Learners

• How games, apps And Google Tools can support, practice, and help acquire EFs

• Why we want to use Google Tools and apps to teach EFs with Alternative Learners

• Why games and apps are not enough

• How to transfer game –based skills to real world activities

Page 3: Teaching Executive Functioning Skills Using Google Tools and Apps

What are Executive Functions?

• Cognitive capacities that enable independent,

purposeful, goal-directed behavior

• The CEO or the conductor of

the brain

• A collection of brain processes

that guide thought and behavior

• Located primarily in the prefrontal

cortex but involving other neural

networks

Page 4: Teaching Executive Functioning Skills Using Google Tools and Apps

Executive Functions in Daily Life

• Infancy; when a child can keep an object in

mind while playing hide-and-seek

• Preschoolers; learning to inhibit behavior such

as not touching a hot stove and developing

basic social skills

• Adolescence; learning to develop planning,

emotional regulation, and organizational skills

• EFs develop slowly in many psychiatric

disorders, and in particular ADHD

Page 5: Teaching Executive Functioning Skills Using Google Tools and Apps

Dawson and Guare Model of

Executive/Thinking Skills

Focus Task Persistence

Sustained attention

Task initiation

Self-Awareness Metacognition

Social thinking

Self-Control Regulation of affect

Response inhibition

Working Memory

Organization

Planning

Flexibility

Time Management

Page 6: Teaching Executive Functioning Skills Using Google Tools and Apps

Executive/Thinking Skills

in Daily Life

• Assembling a toy - planning and organization,

focus

• Cleaning one’s room - focus, organization

• Getting ready for school

in the morning: planning,

time management

• Completing chores:

focus, time management,

working memory

Page 7: Teaching Executive Functioning Skills Using Google Tools and Apps

Executive/Thinking Skills

in School

• Doing homework - organization, planning, focus,

time management

• Phonological awareness - working memory

• Written language:

organization, focus,

planning

• Math word problems:

working memory, focus,

planning

Page 8: Teaching Executive Functioning Skills Using Google Tools and Apps

The Importance of Teaching

Thinking and Executive Skills

• Preschoolers who learn EF’s perform better

academically (Diamond, McClelland)

• Improving working memory enhances reading,

reduces ADHD symptoms (Cogmed research)

• Self Control enhances future life success

(Marshmallow test)

• Protects children from mental health issues

Page 9: Teaching Executive Functioning Skills Using Google Tools and Apps

Train Your Brain for Success

Page 10: Teaching Executive Functioning Skills Using Google Tools and Apps

Research on Executive Functions

and Video Games

• Games (non video) that increase cognitive load and

used as a teaching tool by parents reduce ADHD

symptoms in Preschoolers (Halperin, 2012)

• Combination of board and video games improve

fluid reasoning and processing speed (Mackey,

2011)

• Working memory video games improve WM, fluid

reasoning skills (Cogmed studies)

• Computer-based training improves executive

attention in preschoolers (Rueda, 2005)

Page 11: Teaching Executive Functioning Skills Using Google Tools and Apps

Research on how video games

improve executive functions

• Improves processing speed and time

management (Green and Bevalier, 2009)

• Improves working memory (Klingberg, et al,

2007)

• Increases pro-social behaviors (Gentile et al,

2009)

• Improves problem solving skills (Gee, 2007)

• Enhances social involvement (Ferguson, 2010)

Page 12: Teaching Executive Functioning Skills Using Google Tools and Apps

Why use video games and digital media to help Alternative Learners?

Kids with Learning or

Attention Difficulties

Video Games and Digital Media

May become easily bored and

unable to sustain attention

Good video games and digital media are

often multi modal, requiring ever-changing

skills and employing video, sounds, words,

and actions that help keep kids interested

and engaged.

Often require immediate

reinforcement or consequence to

stay focused on a task.

Video games provide clear and immediate

feedback, constantly letting the player know

what he is doing wrong, and what he is doing

right.

Often require that their body or

mind to be actively engaged.

Video games and digital media are extremely

engaging and many require physical and

cognitive involvement.

Page 13: Teaching Executive Functioning Skills Using Google Tools and Apps

Why use video games and digital media to help Alternative Learners?

Kids with Learning or Attention

Difficulties

Video Games and Digital Media

Usually have problems with following

directions.

Video games teach by trial and error or

through guided discovery, requiring that

the player understand the instructions in

order to succeed.

May struggle to learn new information and

experience frustration or low self-esteem

as a result.

Most negative feed back from video

games and other digital media occurs

privately. This causes less

embarrassment and frustration, while

teaching the player how to handle these

emotions

Page 14: Teaching Executive Functioning Skills Using Google Tools and Apps

How do games, apps, and digital

media improve executive functions?

• Great variation in how they may or may not help,

similar to physical exercise

• Effectiveness is determined in part by level of

stimulation and engagement

• Support—provides external structure to help

regulate or scaffold skills

• Practice—guided rehearsals in repeatedly using a

new executive skill

• Master—the child “owns the skill” --is motivated and

knowledgeable about where and when to apply it

Page 15: Teaching Executive Functioning Skills Using Google Tools and Apps

How do digital technologies

teach executive functions?

The LearningWorks for Kids model:• Games as a vehicle for "engaging the gears" of a

child's brain• Opportunities for children to practice an executive skill

in a fun and engaging fashion• A teaching opportunity for parents, teachers, and

clinicians• An opportunity to detect, reflect, and connect on the

use of executive skills• A "new literacy," an understanding of ways of doing,

thinking, and valuing things in the context of relationships and school practices (James Paul Gee)

Page 16: Teaching Executive Functioning Skills Using Google Tools and Apps

How well do game based skills

transfer to the real world?

• Game play alone results in modest

improvements in real-world executive skills

• Children with learning and attention problems

have problems in generalizing strategies

• Kids like to talk about playing video games and

may be willing to learn from that

• Games prompt partnering and motivation to

learn executive skills

• Practice and rehearsal of executive skills

Page 17: Teaching Executive Functioning Skills Using Google Tools and Apps

BUT…games are not enough!!!

• The key to success is effective teaching

• Teachers (including peers, parents, and embedded

instruction) make the

connection between game-

based learning and real-world

skills

• Actual learning requires

knowledge of the skill,

understanding how and when

to use it, and practice across

many situations

Page 18: Teaching Executive Functioning Skills Using Google Tools and Apps
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Executive Skills Questionnaire

Page 29: Teaching Executive Functioning Skills Using Google Tools and Apps

Prescription of Games, Technologies,

and Recommendations

Page 30: Teaching Executive Functioning Skills Using Google Tools and Apps

Quizzes and Assessments

Page 31: Teaching Executive Functioning Skills Using Google Tools and Apps

Thank You

Randy Kulman, [email protected]

@rkulman on Twitter

www.pinterest.com/rkulman

www.learningworksforkids.com