Learning is Neural, Neutral and New

Cells that fire together, wire together. Words are the electricity, but the flow of energy, the connections  are held firm with action. Daily interaction, participation, collaboration and hands-on experimentation. When students are allowed to play a bit, get curious, tinker and design they make memories. Emotions tag memories as important- they make flash bulb memories- sparks fly and an image is formed. This picture they carry with them. This is all about them- not us.

As humans we imprint things that are personally significant. We tag new stuff to things we already know, to help us make them permanent. This neural jigsaw is ongoing, an elaborate maze of then and now- we travel through it daily- so we can listen and disregard. Construct and deconstruct. Our tumbling creates new paths. It is a constant bombardment and what we choose to laminate and save is entirely up to how we see it: relevant, meaningful and personal.

Humor helps the pieces fit. It lights our way in the labyrinth of learning. Smiling uses- motivation and imagery as the bread crumbs so we do not get lost. It gives us access to the larger neural network. Because it makes it relevant, personal and meaningful. When we laugh we make happy bridges. When we play we make good memories. When we learn while happy- we continue to grow and travel in the landscape of knowledge.

This new content gets embedded, Weaved into our imagination, curiosity and foundation. It strengthens our resolve so we continue to seek out new ways to sew, new ways to build, new ways to expand. We learn and access our memories in two ways:

semantic memory- memorizing knowledge and facts

episodic memory- memorizing through experiences

Genetics might set the boundaries- but the motivation we have, takes us to our height- it takes us to new places. And this motivation is amplified when we are not sitting still and reading facts from a book. It is truly boundless when we are up and active, discussing and analyzing. When we are happy and involved in the process. This is what a student-centered, student-driven classroom does. Neural, Neutral and New all colliding. All forming new areas to explore. New interests. New stories to read. New actions to unfold and wrap around new experiences.

Ask yourself three questions, as an educator and mentor

1- Would I want to learn this way?

2- What can I do to make my classroom more student-driven?

3- How can I make this lesson about them- about growth and curiosity?