Cultivate a Sense of Ownership and Enhance Engagement
One of the key tenets of experiential education is that people of all ages learn best when they perceive a sense of control and have choice and ownership in their learning experien
Domino Fraction Line Up: An Accidental Success in the Classroom
I find that some of my best activities and strategies are created by accident, when a lesson plan doesn’t go quite as I planned, or when an unexpected situation arises and I have
Setting the Tone: Creating a Positive Environment for Learning
This is an updated version of a previous post entitled “Optimal Ingredients for Effective Group Facilitation” rewritten for the new edition of Tips & Tools for the
Create Multiple Pathways to Learning
The more senses that are used to learn and practice information, the more neural networks are activated and the more ways the brain is able to store and retrieve information. Mult
Differentiated Instruction: Don’t Dismiss It!
Wood N Barnes Publishing Co. is continuing to share excerpts from my new book: Inspired Educator, Inspired Learner: Experiential, Brain-Based Activities and Strategies to Engage, M
What is Brain-Based Learning? Excerpt from Inspired Educator, Inspired Learner
Over the next month Wood N Barnes Publishing Company is offering a series of excerpts from my new book that combine research and educational theory with practical strategies to inc
New Book! Inspired Educator, Inspired Learner
Inspired Educator Inspired Learner: Experiential, Brain-Based Activities and Strategies to Engage, Motivate, Build Community, and Create Lasting Lessons I am thrilled to announce t
Bag of Nouns Activity for Review, Reinforcement of Content, Formative Assessment, and Fun!
Many of the inspired educators that I work with have shared variations of this playful party game for active review and formative assessment in the classroom or training sessions.
Choice, Control, and a Sense of Ownership
One of the tenets of experiential education is that people learn best when they perceive a sense of control, and have choice and ownership in their learning experiences. Think abou
The Value of Reflection
Reflection brings learning to life. Reflective practice helps learners find relevancy and meaning in a lesson and make connections between educational experiences and real life sit
Learning Through Play with Playdough Pictionary: Blending Community Building With Academic or Training Content Review
Playdough Pictionary has been one of my favorite "go-to" activities for years. Though I first started using it in team-building programs I have found that it is a great active mult
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
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
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
Get Them Moving, Keep Them Engaged
If you are reading this post, chances are you believe it is important to find ways to actively engage learners in your classroom, boardroom, or group counseling setting. However,
Summer Reading List: Books on the Brain and Learning
Summer Reading List Books on the Brain and Learning: Jen Stanchfield, M.S. Summer is a great time to relax and rejuvenate. Many educators find that some time away from our students
What is Experiential Education?
What is Experiential Education? How is it relevant to my work as an educator or counselor? The experiential approach to education and group work is based on the idea that ch
