I've had another great day in Napa. Dinner last night at the Culinary Institute was an adventure. Tonight, we ate at a wonderful Italian restaurant called Don Giovani's. I've already made the decision that tomorrow night, I'm going to opt for "normal" food. I can't take this anymore... even though I've enjoyed every bite.

We spent the day today processing what we learned yesterday from Dr. Gentile.  We used the 1-3-6 strategy which you may know, and then engaged in a gallery walk. This is truly one of the most effective and powerful strategies I know for synthesizing- and cementing- large amounts of information. Last night I felt somewhat overwhelmed by the massive amount of content that Dr. Gentile had covered. Tonight, I feel like I have a very good grasp on it. It's amazing how an appropriately selected brain-compatible instructional strategy can turn a "bunch 'o facts" into conceptual understanding! (Remind me to talk to you in February about this strategy.)

 

I shared yesterday that Dr. Gentile's message was that violent video-gaming and repeated exposure to violence in the media DOES negatively affect the brain. He stopped short of saying that these things CAUSE kids/ people to commit acts of violence, but what he has found (overwhelmingly- in study after study) is that exposure to violence in the media definitely increases aggression, and in combination with other risk factors, and in the absence of protective factors- DOES influence violent behavior. So interesting- and so scary!

A couple more key learnings from yesterday and today- regarding the effect of the media and violent video games on the brain:

Dr. Gentile: "We are probably never going to decrease the SUPPLY side of harmful content in the media. What we CAN do is work to decrease the DEMAND side." (and he gave us some great ideas for doing just that.)

"The real problem isn't the violence that is rampant in the media; it is the various forms of aggression, which is a broader problem. Violence is a small subset of aggression. The real problem is that our culture has evolved into a "culture of disrespect", and violence is the ultimate form of disrespect."

Tomorrow, we'll hear from Dr. Gary Small, author and researcher specializing in the effects of technology on the brain. The kids in schools today are literally "wired" differently than those of us who were not born into a world full of technology. Should be good!   More later!  I do love this stuff!

First Day in Napa

It's been a wonderful first day in Napa-  and not only because the weather here is sunny and mild!  The first day of our Brainy Bunch Renewals are always fun because we are able to reconnect with friends that we haven't seen since last January.  It really is a funny-feeling phenomenon-  to show up at the same time, same place, each January, and spend 4 days with the same basic group of people.  Then we all go home, and come back again a year later!  The years ARE flying by-  seems like only a few months since I was with all of these "like-minded" people.

Our speaker today was Dr. Doug Gentile, who is actually from Iowa State University!  He is a professor and researcher who studies the effects of the media- and especially violent video gaming- on the brain.  Dr. Gentile has authored several books on the topic, and is considered an expert in this field.  His research is vast- and his passion for the topic is evident. 

I'll spend this evening going through my notes and trying to synthesize them into a few major "key learnings".  Here is one-  the most obvious one:  Violence in the media and in video games absolutely DOES affect the brain-  and as you might imagine- in a very negative way!  Much of what he shared with us was scary--- but he used humor, as well.  Though overwhelming, it was a wonderful day of learning! 

I'm leaving now for an "adventure.  I'm driving "up valley" to have dinner at the Culinary Arts Institute, near Calistoga.  I'm told it is fabulous. Several of the friends I'm traveling with (2 from Salt Lake City, 1 from Seattle, 1 from Phoenix, and 1 from Iowa) love to cook, and they say that nothing else compares to a meal at the CAI.  I'm not a cook--- but I love to eat, so I'm sure I'll enjoy myself.

Tomorrow, we'll spend the day processing what we learned from Dr. Gentile today.  This is how Pat always sets-up these workshops, and this strategy is very effective.  We get information from "the expert", then have the opportunity to TALK about what we've learned with our fellow learners.  Tomorrow will be an opportunity to practice what is called "elaborative rehearsal."  We'll rehash what we learned, we'll draw upon prior knowledge and experience from all class members, we'll paraphrase, clarify, and question...  and we'll "cement" our new learning. 

More later!  I'm off to have a fabulous meal!   Julie

Finally!

Hello Everyone- especially BBLers.  Let me begin by making a “true confession.”   I am a procrastinator.  There.  I’ve admitted it.  That’s the first step in recovery, right?  

The thing is, I have so many good reasons for procrastinating—really good reasons!  You see, my intent was to make a blog post every two weeks or so, between our November class and our February class.  What I wanted to do was keep your brains engaged- to some extent- in our “brain learning”- during our long stretch of time apart.  My intent also, was that all of you could enter into a sort of “conversation” by making at least two blog posts yourself during that time.  (either original topics you want to share, or responses to posts others have made.)

Early on, my “excuse” was that I didn’t have anything to blog about.  So I didn’t.  During the last month however, I’ve seen so many programs, articles, etc. that have to do with the brain----  news of the brain has been EVERYWHERE!  So recently,  my “excuse” has been that there was too much to write about!  Where would I begin?   AUGGGHHHH!  

So now you know what I meant when, at the end of class in November, I told you not to worry about being inundated with blog posts to read, because I wasn’t that good of a blogger.  Well, that’s still my story.  I'm a TERRIBLE blogger-  and I'm trying to accept that fact about myself and stop feeling guilty about it. 

Tonight, I find myself up against a deadline.  (a procrastinator’s best friend)  Tomorrow morning, I’ll be leaving for Napa, California and the 2013 “Brainy Bunch Renewal.”  This is the networking group that I’ve told you about- facilitated by Dr. Pat Wolfe.  This year, 35 members will attend and our guest speakers will be two neuroscientists who have studied the effects of violence in the media, video-gaming, and technology- on the adolescent brain.  Pretty timely content, eh? 

 

My intent is to make a couple of blog posts this week- to keep you abreast of what I’m learning.  Typically at these workshops, I return to my hotel room each evening excited about telling someone- anyone- about what I’ve learned!  I’ll do my best to use my Blog as a reflection tool-  as a way to capture my thinking while it’s fresh--- and to “cement” what I’ve learned before it escapes me.   We’ll see how I do!

There have been so many “brain in the news” stories lately! 

Did any of you hear the news story last week about Junior Seau?  He was the pro football player who- last May, at the age of 43- took his own life?  An autopsy of  Seau’s brain (done at the request of his family) recently revealed  that he suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE.  The repeated concussions that football players (at all levels) often suffer, have been the topic of much study over the past several years.  The link below will take you to an article about Seau and what Drs. have discovered about CTE.  (When I played the video, the picture wasn’t clear- but the audio was perfect.  So… if you’re interested in this “brain topic”, you may want to read the article and “listen to” the video.)

http://aol.sportingnews.com/nfl/story/2013-01-10/junior-seau-cte-concussions-suicide-dead-brain-disease-chargers-lb

There have also been great pieces aired on

·         *  A groundbreaking new treatment for stroke victims that significantly limits the long-term damage to the brain…

·         *  Research studies that are implanting electrodes into the motor cortex of the brains of amputees, allowing them to control their prosthetic limbs with their thoughts… (AMAZING)

·        *  A program developed by a guy named Greg Gage that aims to bring introductory neuroscience into middle schools and high schools across the country.  (Google Backyard Brains, or Neuroscience in a Box)

·         * An MSNBC piece titled  “More than Just a Game”-  about the positive effects of gaming on the brain 

The Brain!   It’s everywhere!

The other thing that I want to talk to you about is what I’m learning about my OWN brain!  In November, I took on a part-time job that I’m absolutely loving:  I’m designing curriculum materials- in the form of on-line- learning modules- for teaching newly hired drivetrain engineers and technicians at John Deere.  Now… you may be wondering, ‘what does Julie Crotty know about drivetrains?’   The answer to that question would be “nothing”!   But I’m learning!  I’m working with two wonderful engineers, both of whom would have made fabulous teachers. They are feeding me the content, and I’m packaging it into brain-friendly modules that will be more effective (hopefully) in bringing new-hires up to speed.  So I’m getting a crash course in John Deere tractor lines, transmission types, emission levels, controller hardware and software, and much more!  In addition to doing this work for John Deere, I’m making notes about how MY brain is learning this stuff.  I’m trying to be very metacognitive about the strategies I’m using- as I attempt to learn something that is as foreign to me as anything could possibly be.    The amazing thing to me is, that I’m Doing it… and I’m loving every minute of it. 

More about this later. I’m anxious to talk to you face to face about my “ahas”--- because what I’m finding is that I’m utilizing specific strategies  that ALL teachers can teach to their students.  Actually, what I’m finding is that all of the brain-compatible strategies that I’ve learned over the years really do work- for me-  as a learner!  

OK.  I must finish packing my suitcase!  You’ll hear from me again soon!