Inspiring Articles, Podcasts, Books & Blogs on Engagement, Learning & the Brain
As readers of this blog know I am excited about new research on the brain and learning and the links between the emerging field of educational neuroscience and experiential learnin
Activities to Get Them Moving, Talking, Reflecting, and Keep Them Engaged
Recent research from cognitive neuroscientists validates the idea that educators will increase participant attention, motivation, and learning outcomes when they intentionally weav
The Educator as Guide
When I work with educators from all backgrounds I often find myself encouraging them to reflect on the idea of a “student centered ” or "participant centered" view of teaching
What is Experiential Education?
The experiential approach to education and group work is based on the idea that change and growth take place when people are actively (physically, socially, intellectually, emotion
An Exciting Month On the Road and Thoughts On the Words We Use in Experiential Education
This experience of facilitating through an interpreter stimulated reflection upon the words I choose to describe concepts in experiential education. When presenting with an interpr
The Reflective Educator Part Three: Personal Planning and Reflection
Taking time for self-reflection is key to developing your skills and improving your effectiveness and personal satisfaction in your work as an educator/counselor/ trainer.
The Reflective Educator Part Two: Meaningful Self-Reflection and Record Keeping to Improve Your Practice
In this blog post Jennifer Stanchfield explores the importance of prioritizing time for self reflection to improve your practice as an teacher, trainer, counselor or group facilita
Embracing the Quiet and Taking Time to Reflect
Those of us who espouse the philosophy of experiential education understand the importance of reflection as the key to moving learning forward and creating lasting and meaningful l
The Right Ingredients at the Right Time: Sequencing Group Learning Experiences
As with cooking, facilitation is an art that involves a combination of practice, observation, knowledge of theory and creativity. Effective facilitators act as a good chef does, ad
Key Ingredients for Building a Positive Environment and Increasing Engagement
Jennifer Stanchfield's post on the important ingredients for teaching and group facilitation. Techniques for maximizing engagement, reflection and building a positive group or clas
Using Quotes to “Hook” Your Group’s Attention
This is the second post in a series that offers ideas for actively involving learners from the first moment they enter the room for a workshop, training or classroom lesson. In my
Start Off With Style. Find a Hook!
“The beginning is the most important part of the work”. -Plato Starting Off with Style: The events or activities experienced the first time learners are exposed to information
Reflective Practice Versus Debriefing
Promoting new ways to engage groups in reflective practice has been a personal passion and focus of my work as an educator. From the beginning of my career as an education and clin
Active Review Methods Continued: Stories from the Classroom
In my last post I described how I have been re-purposing the well-known ice-breaker Have You Ever? into Anyone Who as a strategy to engage participants in reflecting on or reviewin
Another Idea to Get Them Moving and Keep Them Engaged: “Anyone Who”
Research on the brain and learning emphasizes the importance of breaking up lecture and direct instruction with activities that involve learners socially, emotionally and physicall
