Making Some Good Points!

[Thanks Patriot Post]

Offered as a basis for a class discussion on thinking skills in the real world.

Suggested topics for discussion could include problem solving, innovation, resilience and dealing with the unexpected.

Learning To Love Our Teachers

Importance of Gratitude for Education

Reflect on this quote for a moment ...

“ ….. gratefulness to our teachers helps us learn better. So we benefit from our thankfulness for the lessons delivered to us, because thankfulness for both the digestible and difficult lessons helps us imbibe the knowledge more easily. It also changes us for the better.”

Anushka Bhaskar and Zachary Cerniglia: Learning To Love Our Teachers: Philosophy Now Issue 128

https://philosophynow.org/issues/128/Learning_To_Love_Our_Teachers

What a change in attitude a little gratitude would make!

Students keen to learn and more immersed in their learning environment. Teachers happy to teach students hungry for knowledge. Parents overjoyed with good results.

An impossible dream?
What do you think?

Further reading …

Gratitude in Education: A Radical View

https://gratefulness.org/resource/gratitude-in-education/

Learning How to Practice Gratitude

https://www.education.com/lesson-plan/learning-how-to-practice-gratitude/

Can You Explain It?

Using your science knowledge to think and reason

The question below is designed for students in Year 10 and above. These students should have the knowledge to reason out the answer to the question. The question tests student understanding of concepts rather than straight memory recall.

This activity helps develop better idea generation skills and also nurtures greater confidence in ability to tackle challenges. With luck overall performance in science will slowly improve.

Teachers might first think through possible answers before using this activity in class.

Question ....

How did (a) the Sun and (b) the Earth's gravity, over hundreds of millions of years, directly influence the evolution of the eyesight we have today?

Parents: Do you know how to build a learning culture at home?

 How are you promoting a culture of learning at home?

The home environment can directly affect the child's cognitive development as well as the school performance. What you do for them at home in the early years does impact on your childs later life. Your efforts can help launch you child into a better job earning a higher salary. A better lifestyle shall then surely follow. Better home, different friendship groups and interesting holidays and travel.

In this blog today I am asking parents to have a think about what they can do to establish a learning environment at home. What can you do to help build a culture of learning in your household?

Teachers who are not parents are also welcome to sit down and have a think on this. One day you may be asked by a parent to help them help their child, your student. In addition, you may find opportunity in class to discuss with your students how them can help themselves become better learners and achievers.

Email me your ideas (see above for Contact).

In a little while I will discuss your ideas and post my own suggestions.

So, have a think and even discuss ideas as a family group.
You may be surprised by the responses.

How To Change Your Study Habits

 

 

Is it hard to change my study habits? 

How long will it take to change?

What are the steps to habit change?

Click Read More (below) to find out ....

Why Teachers Should Broaden and Deepen Their Knowledge Base

Teachers of science cannot be expert in all areas of the science they teach. Nor can they expect their science knowledge they learnt in university hold them in good stead for their entire working careers. Science does not stand still. The frontiers of knowledge advance rapidly.

Keeping current and expandind your knowledge base has benefits for both teacher and student.

What are the benefits?

Click READ MORE (below) and find out ....

The Fate of Empires: Will this be our future?

Suggested topic for class discussion

Just a few days ago I happened across a short (24 pages) eaasy titled The Fate of Empires  (click to read) by Sir John Bagot Glubb

I found it a very interesting read. The article would be best suited for a history class discussion or assignment but I would also strongly recommend it as essential reading for all teachers and students.

The article, published in 1978, still holds great relevancy today (more so today). I am sure it will generate much critical thinking and discussion.

 








What will be our future?

Steps To Becoming A Smart Student

Help yourself become a better achiever

I've gathered together here a selection of previous posts. These will be of benefit for parents, teachers as well as students. They offer guidelines that will help boost achievement and performance.

Seven tips to student success

1. Learning new skills. It is important to realize that studying effectively is a skill. Listening in class is a skill. Thinking and memory are skills. Skills can be improved.

Skill Acquisition
https://bestlearningplace.blogspot.com.au/2014/07/skill-acquisition.html#more

2. Often students have a mistaken belief that they are no good at certain subjects. This often leads to lack of confidence and fears of failure. Examine the possible causes of mental barriers that stop your learning effort.

Mental Barriers to Learning
https://bestlearningplace.blogspot.com.au/2014/05/mental-barriers-to-learning.html

3. Prepare for the school year ahead. Steps that will greatly benefit your achievement and performance are listed. Pay careful attention. They will help you.

What Successful Students Do
https://bestlearningplace.blogspot.com.au/2014/04/what-successful-students-do.html

4. Learn how to learn more effectively. Bring your subject content to life. This is the secret of learning success.

Visualization, Imagination and Learning
https://bestlearningplace.blogspot.com.au/2014/04/visualisation-imagination-and-learning.html

5. Learn how to get the best out of each lesson. Good classroom skills can save you much time at home.

Key Habits for the Classroom
https://bestlearningplace.blogspot.com.au/2014/03/key-habits-for-classroom.html

 6. The importance of developing good concentration skills. Poor concentration results in poor learning and performance. Poor concentration also wastes many hours of your precious time.

Concentration is a key Mind Skill
https://bestlearningplace.blogspot.com.au/2014/03/concentration-is-key-mind-skill.html

7. Beliefs. Beliefs are powerful things. They can stop you in your tracks before your learning even starts. What can be done?

Beliefs
https://bestlearningplace.blogspot.com.au/2014/03/beliefs.html


Students. I know the above information will help improve your learning performance enormously. You must be the person to decide to improve your student skills. This decision may change the course of your life. If you want to ask me a question then see Contact for my email address.

Preparing for Student Learning Success

 Summary of skills, habits and behaviors for learning success

The past five (5) part series on Gaining Perspective has been designed to encourage students to reflect upon a number of non-academic areas that play an important part in their learning success. Life issues can impact greatly on a student's mental outlook, motivation and performance.

It is vitally important to build a platform of understanding of self and others as well as an appreciation of the world and Universe we live in. This provides a solid rock foundation for the student to stand upon and take on the challenges of school and learning. It also greatly increases motivation and goal directed thinking. At the end of the day, and with further reflection, the student should become a calmer and more focused learner.

 How can these non-academic thoughts, reflections, awareness and experiences help?

There is no magic wand. Our mental outlook will not change overnight. But if the student works on it then over time they should ...

> Construct a better Worldview
> Become highly motivated learners
> Better understand their own thinking
> Form stronger and lasting friendships
> Generate a greater interest and curosity
> Boost study efforts
> Achieve improved results

These five non-academic areas are just as important as the academic skills.


Summary of all skills that contribute to learning success. Lifelong learning success.

(Click to enlarge)

Good luck students!