In response to: "Big Thinkers: Judy Willis on the Science of Learning."
http://www.edutopia.org/big-thinkers-judy-willis-neuroscience-learning-short-video
This short video by Judy Willis talks about her life as a neurologist and how she was increasingly being sent kids who were suspected of having learning disabilities. As part of what she did to test the students, she visited their classrooms to observe their learning. When in the classroom, Judy noticed that the students did not have learning disabilities, but their brains were either stressed or bored because of the way the teachers were teaching the lessons. Judy decided to take her knowledge of the brain and return to college to get a degree in education. From there, Judy taught second grade and was sure to teach students in a more hands on, collaborative style instead of the lecture style that she observed going on in lower elementary classrooms. Her students were successful and learned a great deal from her style of teaching.
I always wondered what would happen if lower elementary students were more active in the learning and I am not surprised that younger students can get bored by lectures as much as older students. When I was growing up, I accepted this lecture style as the status quo from many of my teachers, but I do wish that more interactive approaches were taught. I am glad to hear that research is showing new ways to how kids can learn at much younger age.
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