The Classroom of Engagement - EPI's Launch Your Classroom!

Educational Partners International

18 Jun 201910:55

Summary

TLDRThe video script outlines a model for creating an engaging classroom environment. It suggests using a 'magic marker' activity to illustrate key elements like environment (E), surroundings (S), effect (A), and movement (M) under the first circle, and process (P), assessment (A), and mindfulness (M) under the second. The speaker emphasizes the importance of an inviting classroom, teaching learning processes, and regular assessments. The model incorporates various intelligences and uses chunking and repetition for better retention. It concludes with a call to remember these elements to foster student belief in their capabilities.

Takeaways

📚 Engaged Classroom Model: The script introduces a model of an engaged classroom and encourages participants to visualize and participate in creating such an environment.
👫 Pair Work: Pairing up for activities is a method to engage students and facilitate interaction, which is a key part of creating an engaged classroom.
🖌️ Use of Magic Markers: The use of a 'magic marker' as a prop in the activity serves as a metaphor for creativity and participation in the classroom.
🔠 Alphabetic Framework: The script uses letters (E, R, S, A, M, P, A, N) to represent different components necessary for an engaged classroom environment.
🌿 Environment and Surroundings: The classroom environment and surroundings play a crucial role in student engagement, with visual stimulation and an inviting atmosphere being important.
🏫 Classroom Design: The design of the classroom, including furniture arrangement, should allow for freedom of movement which is beneficial for brain function and student engagement.
💡 Process and Assessment: Teaching students 'how to learn' (process) and assessing their learning (assessment) are emphasized as essential for an engaged classroom.
🧘 Mindfulness and Brain Breaks: The importance of mindfulness and taking brain breaks is highlighted for clarity and relaxation, contributing to a better learning environment.
🔁 Repetition for Learning: The script suggests that repetition, rather than memorization, is a powerful tool for learning and should be used to reinforce concepts.
🧠 Multi-Intelligence Approach: The model incorporates multiple intelligences, such as visual, kinesthetic, auditory, and interpersonal, to cater to diverse learning styles.
📈 Chunking Information: Information is more easily remembered when chunked into smaller sets, such as threes and fours, which is a strategy that can be used in teaching.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of the activity described in the script?
-The main purpose of the activity is to demonstrate and debrief a model of an engaged classroom environment through an interactive exercise involving drawing and discussing key elements with a partner.
What does the letter 'E' represent in the classroom model, and why is it important?
-The letter 'E' stands for 'Environment'. It is important because it sets the overall context in which learning takes place, influencing the level of student engagement and involvement.
What does the letter 'R' signify in the classroom model?
-The letter 'R' signifies 'Resources', which are necessary for creating an engaged classroom, including materials and support that facilitate learning.
What does the letter 'S' represent and why is it crucial for classroom engagement?
-The letter 'S' stands for 'Surroundings'. It is crucial because the physical layout and decorations of the classroom can affect the learning atmosphere and students' peripheral vision, impacting their overall engagement.
What does the letter 'A' under 'Surroundings' signify, and how does it contribute to the classroom experience?
-The letter 'A' represents 'Effect'. It refers to the overall feeling and impression that the classroom gives to those who enter, which can significantly affect the engagement level of the students.
What does the letter 'M' under 'Effect' stand for, and why is it significant?
-The letter 'M' stands for 'Movement'. It is significant because allowing for physical movement in the classroom is beneficial for brain function and can enhance engagement by making the learning space more dynamic.
What does the letter 'P' under 'Resources' signify, and how does it relate to teaching?
-The letter 'P' signifies 'Process'. It relates to teaching as it emphasizes the importance of teaching students how to learn, rather than just what to learn, focusing on developing critical thinking and learning skills.
What does the letter 'A' under 'Process' stand for, and why is it essential in education?
-The letter 'A' stands for 'Assessment'. It is essential in education because it helps teachers understand what students know and learn, guiding them to make informed decisions about teaching strategies and ensuring student progress.
What is the significance of the letter 'N' under 'Assessment', and how does it impact student learning?
-The letter 'N' stands for 'Mindfulness'. It impacts student learning by promoting mental clarity and self-awareness, which can help students manage distractions and enhance their focus and engagement in the learning process.
How does the model presented in the script incorporate different types of intelligences?
-The model incorporates different types of intelligences by engaging students in various activities that cater to visual, auditory, kinesthetic, and interpersonal intelligences, thus appealing to a wider range of learning preferences.
What teaching strategy does the script suggest for making information more memorable for students?
-The script suggests 'chunking' information into groups of threes and fours, as this makes it easier for students to remember and process the information effectively.
How does the script emphasize the importance of repetition in learning?
-The script emphasizes the importance of repetition by suggesting that concepts should be reintroduced at different intervals to reinforce learning, rather than relying solely on memorization.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Creating an Engaged Classroom Environment

The speaker introduces an activity designed to model and debrief on what constitutes an engaged classroom. Participants are asked to pair up and use their imagination, along with a 'magic marker,' to draw and label elements that contribute to an engaging educational environment. The acronym 'S.E.R' is used to represent 'Surroundings,' 'Environment,' and 'Resources,' with each letter expanded upon to discuss the importance of a classroom's physical setup and materials. The 'E' stands for environment, emphasizing the need for an inviting space that stimulates learning. The 'R' for resources highlights the importance of having necessary materials and tools for learning. The 'S' for surroundings is about creating a classroom that is visually engaging and conducive to learning. The activity also involves writing 'e,' 'a,' and 'm' under the circles to represent 'effect,' 'assessment,' and 'movement,' respectively, indicating the impact of the classroom environment on students' feelings, the necessity of assessing their learning, and the importance of allowing for physical movement within the classroom.

05:02

📈 The Role of Process, Assessment, and Mindfulness in Learning

This paragraph delves into the second part of the acronym, 'P.A.M,' which stands for 'Process,' 'Assessment,' and 'Mindfulness.' The 'P' for process underscores the importance of teaching students how to learn, not just what to learn, through strategies like writing, note-taking, and mind mapping. The 'A' for assessment focuses on the need for educators to pay attention to how students are being evaluated, including formative and summative assessments, to ensure they are learning effectively. The 'M' stands for mindfulness, which is about teaching students to take breaks and be present, helping to clear their minds and improve focus. The speaker emphasizes the significance of these elements in affecting students' belief systems and fostering a growth mindset. The paragraph concludes with a volunteer, Ryan, summarizing the letters and their meanings, demonstrating the effectiveness of the teaching model presented.

10:02

🌟 Engaging Classroom Dynamics and Effective Teaching Strategies

The final paragraph discusses the broader implications of the model presented for creating an engaged classroom. It highlights the use of various intelligences, such as visual, kinesthetic, auditory, and interpersonal, to cater to different learning styles. The speaker also mentions the importance of 'chunking' information into groups of threes and fours to enhance memorability and understanding. Repetition is stressed as a powerful tool for learning, with the speaker suggesting that concepts should be reintroduced at intervals to reinforce learning. The paragraph concludes by affirming that real classrooms can be set up in this way, incorporating all the elements discussed to ensure student engagement and effective learning.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Engagement

Engagement in the context of the video refers to the active involvement and participation of students in the learning process. It is central to the video's theme as it emphasizes the importance of creating an environment where students are not just passively receiving information but are actively engaged in their education. The script mentions an 'engaged classroom or school' where students are 'totally involved and engaged,' highlighting the necessity of certain elements to achieve this state.

💡Environment

Environment, as used in the script, pertains to the setting or conditions in which students learn. It is a key component in fostering engagement, as it sets the stage for the learning experience. The video suggests that an inviting and stimulating environment, like a kindergarten classroom filled with decorations and educational materials, can enhance learning compared to a bare-walled classroom, which might not be as conducive to engagement.

💡Resources

Resources in the video script represent the materials and tools available to support learning. They are crucial for an engaged classroom as they provide the necessary support for students to learn effectively. The script mentions 'resources' as one of the elements to be written over a circle, indicating its importance in the model being discussed, and implies that resources like educational tools and materials are fundamental for creating an engaging learning space.

💡Surroundings

Surroundings is a term used in the script to describe the physical aspects of the classroom that students see and interact with. It is tied to the theme of engagement as it affects the atmosphere and the students' ability to connect with the learning material. The script contrasts a 'bear walled classroom' with a kindergarten classroom 'highly decorated' with educational themes, suggesting that an enriched and thematic surrounding can enhance the learning experience.

💡Effect

Effect, in the context of the video, refers to the impression or feeling that a classroom gives to someone who enters it. It is related to the theme of engagement as it speaks to the overall atmosphere and the psychological impact on students. The script uses 'effect' to emphasize the importance of creating a positive and inviting classroom environment where students feel good and are motivated to learn.

💡Movement

Movement is highlighted in the script as an essential element for an engaged classroom. It refers to the physical ability of students to move around the classroom freely, which is beneficial for their learning and well-being. The video points out that desks and chairs should not be arranged in a way that restricts movement, as it is important for students to be able to get up and move around, which is good for the brain and allows teachers to attend to every student.

💡Process

Process in the video script signifies the methods or strategies used in teaching and learning. It is a key concept as it shifts the focus from merely imparting knowledge to teaching students 'how to learn.' The script mentions 'process' as something that teachers should focus on, such as teaching note-taking, reciprocal reading, and mind-mapping, which are processes that empower students to think and learn effectively.

💡Assessment

Assessment is a critical concept in the video, referring to the methods used by educators to evaluate student learning. It is integral to the theme of engagement as it helps determine whether students are understanding and absorbing the material. The script discusses the importance of formative and summative assessments, benchmarking, and exit strategies as part of the assessment process, which ensures that students' progress is monitored and their learning is effective.

💡Mindfulness

Mindfulness is introduced in the script as a practice aimed at creating mental clarity and relaxation among students. It is connected to the theme of engagement as it promotes a calm and focused state of mind, which is conducive to learning. The video suggests that teaching students to take brain breaks and practice mindfulness can help clear their minds, integrate the major parts of the brain, and enhance self-awareness, thereby supporting their learning process.

💡Belief Systems

Belief systems, as mentioned in the video, refer to the set of convictions and attitudes that students hold about their capabilities and the world around them. It is relevant to the theme of engagement because it influences students' motivation and self-efficacy. The script suggests that when classrooms are set up with the discussed elements, they can positively affect students' belief systems, leading them to develop a growth mindset and the confidence to say 'I can do math,' 'I can dance,' 'I can write,' etc.

Highlights

Engagement in the classroom is a multifaceted concept involving both the environment and the students' active participation.

The model presented is a way to visualize and understand the components necessary for an engaged classroom.

Pairing up participants to engage in an activity serves as a practical demonstration of collaborative learning.

Utilizing a 'magic marker' as a metaphorical tool helps participants visualize the elements of an engaged classroom.

The acronym 'ESERM' is introduced as a framework to remember the key elements of an engaged classroom.

Environment (E) is crucial for creating a conducive learning space that fosters engagement.

Surroundings (S) should be inviting and stimulate peripheral vision, contributing to a rich learning experience.

Effect (A) refers to the immediate feeling one gets upon entering a classroom, indicating its atmosphere.

Movement (M) is essential in a classroom, allowing students to move freely and engage with the material.

Process (P) emphasizes teaching students how to learn, rather than just what to learn.

Assessment (A) is critical in understanding what students know and how they are learning.

Mindfulness (N) encourages students to take brain breaks, promoting mental clarity and self-awareness.

The heart space gesture symbolizes the importance of keeping these elements central to teaching and learning.

Belief systems are influenced by an engaged classroom, with students developing confidence in their abilities.

Different intelligences are utilized in an engaged classroom, catering to diverse learning styles.

Chunking information into threes and fours makes it easier for students to remember and process.

Repetition is a powerful tool for learning, enhancing retention without the need for memorization.

The model presented is a general guide that can be adapted to various educational settings to increase engagement.