Week 4, Group B, Daniella Chai

Learning from teachers how to teach learners is quite a meta task.  Today in P.E. class we learned both in active and passive ways.  We got up on our feet to embody the task progression model, and then we also reviewed it on a handout while seated around the projector.  It’s it truly remarkable how much better I understood and will remeber the task progression model from actively doing it, rather than listening and reading about it.

One of this week’s guided questions is, “What is the value of embodied learning?  Why is an active curriculum useful or neccessary?”  Today was an example to me of the effectiveness of embodied learning.  We learn from doing, and often doing requires moving.  I think there’s more to it than that as well.  When sitting all day, I become sleepy, and start to shut down, and don’t feel so good.  Physical activity wakes me up, gets the blood flowing to my brain, and allows me to take in more oxygen.  I am more focused, and have more fun.  It is neccessary that students get to experience the power of activity, and see how it effects every other part of their life.  I can do better in my other classes when I have moved before hand.  Moreover, I think every subject could benefit from incorporating daily physical activity, even if that means using active desks, like treadmill and standing desks.  Here’s an article that outlines some of the scientifically proven benefits of these devices: http://www.fastcodesign.com/3045217/evidence/everything-science-knows-right-now-about-standing-desks

One thought on “Week 4, Group B, Daniella Chai”

  1. WEEK 4 COMMENT (Group A)

    Great post, Daniella! I really agree with you about the ability to gain more understanding through doing, and the importance of movement. The example you gave about the task progression model from class was great. I think Steve illustrated the idea of embodied movement really well. In terms of getting students moving, I think that the DPA requirements we learned about the other day are a good start, and show us that physical activity and movement are being valued. I think it can be tricky because certain lessons require that students sit and listen and take notes, but we must continue to find ways to incorporate movement into our lessons and find a balance between active and passive learning. This also applies to adults! A recent job of mine required me to work in a cubicle for almost the entire workday, everyday. This negatively affected my mood, my work performance, as well as my physical health. I often experienced aches and pains in my body from sitting for so long, and even though I had hardly moved all day, I was always exhausted by the time I got home. This made it even harder for me to motivate myself to get exercise. That link about standing desks was really interesting, thanks for including that. I wish I had that at my last job, I think it would have helped!

    In terms of assessment I would imagine that students who have been able to move around and experience embodied learning are likely to do better in terms of performance. If a student has been sedentary all day, and lacks energy and stimulation, how can we expect them to perform well?

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