Several Great Articles- The Adolescent Brain

I'm preparing for Session #5 of the Brain-Based Learning Class that I teach for Archdiocese of Dubuque teachers.  During the afternoon session on Thursday, the topic will be the adolescent brain.  While preparing, I came across three wonderful articles that will be good reading for them prior to class--- or more likely--- after class.

Two of the articles are from one of my favorite sources for "novice-friendly" brain information:  National Public Radio.  The third is from Discovery News.

The Teen Brain:  It's Just Not Grown Up Yet   (NPR, March 2010)

Do Juvenile Killers Deserve Life Behind Bars?  (NPR, March 2012)

Teen Brain Wired to Take Risks  (Discovery News, May 2010)

If you're interested in understanding (if that's possible) the adolescent brain, you may want to take a look at these articles.   I was excited to notice that the article on teen risk-taking quotes Dr. Adriana Galvan, the cognitive neuroscientist who spoke at our most recent Brainy Bunch Network in January.  (She's the one pictured in my January post.)

Ever wonder what a neuroscientist looks like?  Well here you go.  (She's the one on the left)  This is Dr. Adriana Galvan, our speaker at today's session.  While she appears to be about 21 years old, the pages and pages listing her many publications, as well as her position as an associate professor and researcher at the Brain Research Institute at UCLA, are pretty sure signs that she's older than she looks!  Dr. Galvan is obviously brilliant, but also had a wonderful way of explaining very complex information to us in a way that was easy to understand.  She presented some of the research that she and her colleagues have been doing on adolescent brain development, and did it in such a way that none of us was ready for the day to end when 3:00 rolled around. 

My problem now, is figuring out how to "capture" what I learned- while it is fresh in my mind.  Dr. Galvan talked mostly about the research she has been doing regarding adolescents and risk-taking.  She also touched upon how the new information about the adolescent brain is creating a need for policy changes- particularly in regard to the juvenile justice system.

I had a number of "ahas" today!  Not only did I learn a lot from Dr. Galvan, but I felt very affirmed regarding how much I know!  I actually understood what she was saying!  It made perfect sense, and provided me with further depth- and better ways of explaining the brain to others.  I am very excited to go back and incorporate what I learned into my classes and workshops!  

So---  before I turn the lights off tonight, my plan is to read through my notes- from the first page to the last.  I'm going to made additional notes in the margins- and compose questions that come to mind to ask of the group tomorrow.  Then, I'll set my notebook aside and go to sleep, knowing that my brain will continue working on consolidating my learning--- while I'm sound asleep. 

Tomorrow- we'll hear from Dr. Jeb Schenk, an educator and author who will provide us with additional information about the adolescent brain, but from a different perspective.  Can't wait.

What a fabulous day I've just had!  I should be exhausted, as I couldn't get to sleep last night and am running on about 3 hours sleep, but for some reason I don't feel tired at all!  My day started at the Waterloo airport at 6:00 AM.  The flight into Minneapolis was delayed for a full hour while we waited for the de-icing machine to do its work.  That meant that my connection in Minneapolis was a quick one!  But I made it to the gate just in time to board-  and then waited for another 45 minutes for THAT plane to be de-iced!  Sounds bad, but I didn't mind all of the waiting at all!  I was about 1/2 way through the book I was reading-  about Congresswoman Gabby Giffords- so I had hours of uninterupted reading time today.  What could be better?  (I highly recommend this book, by the way! Gabby is an inspiration- and what interesting lives she and her husband Mark Kelly have led!)

I've spent the day thinking about my friend, Karen- who made this trip to Napa/ SF with me several times over the past 10 years.  When I entered the gate at SFO, the first thing I saw made me think of Karen-  a full-sized, driftwood sculpture of a horse.  We would always take a few minutes to look at it upon arriving at the airport. 

Then, as I walked past the first gift shop on my way to the baggage claim,  I thought of Karen again.  There was a tall stack of See's brand taffy for sale- Karen's favorite!  On one of our trips together, we stumbled upon a See's store, where they sold every flavor of taffy imaginable.  We spent a considerable amount of time having samples, and Karen always loaded up on boxes of taffy to bring back to Iowa to her family and friends.

Visiting the Muir Woods is ALWAYS done with Karen in mind.  We so enjoyed walking through the woods and looking up---.  The silence- especially in the Cathedral Grove- is amazing.  We used to sit on the benches there- just listening to -nothing.

And tonight, Pat Wolfe had her usual wine and cheese party at her home, to kick-off the annual Brainy Bunch Renewal.  It's such fun connecting with friends from across the county that I only see once each year.  As I was getting ready to leave and go back to my hotel room, Pat stopped me and said she had something to show me.  She led me upstairs to her bedroom, where there was a book on her nightstand.  She said that she had just discovered it in a box of books earlier this week- and had forgotten that she had it.  I don't even remember the name of the book--- but inside the front cover was a handwritten note in Karen's beautiful script.  She had given the book to Pat- and had signed it "Your Forever Friend, Karen".  Pat said that when she came across the book, she sat down and cried.  After pulling herself together, she made a New Year's Resolution in Karen's honor.  She is now journaling every night-  and making note of what she is thankful for each day.  The first entry she made, was that she was thankful for having known Karen Wente.

For those of you who don't know Karen, she was one of the kindest, gentlest, most generous people I've ever known.  For those of you who DID know Karen, you understand completely what I mean when I say she was 'one of a kind'. 

On October 26, 2008, Karen had a massive stroke.  She never regained consciousness, and died nine days later.  Sometimes I still can't believe that she's gone!  When Karen had her stroke, she was at the Gallegher-Bluedorn, helping with a memorial reception for the husband of a colleague.  She was fine one minute, and then it just happened.  One thing about that day that I will never forget--- and that I love remembering--- is that when Karen had her stroke, there was a harpist playing the most beautiful music just a few feet away.  As we scurried around to attend to her- to hold her while we waited for the paramedics to arrive, and while they attended to her and took her on a stretcher to the ambulance--- the harpist kept playing. In all of the chaos,  the harp music kept playing.  I'm sure that Karen loved that.  It was so fitting!

So...  It's been an enjoyable day-  reading, traveling, sight-seeing, and remembering Karen.

Tomorrow:  Learning about the Adolescent Brain! Can't wait! 

5th Graders Learning about the Brain

I just finished a very pleasant afternoon- talking with a great group of 5th grade students about the brain! These students attend DeSales Catholic School in Ossian, Iowa- in the far northeast corner of the state.  Their teacher, Heidi Buddenberg, is a participant in the Brain-Based Learning class that I teach for the Archdiocese of Dubuque.  Since Mrs. Buddenberg is learning about the brain this year to increase her skills as a teacher, she decided to share some of her learning with her 5th grade students.

We used SKYPE as our vehicle for communicating, and while we were a bit nervous as we practiced earlier this week, everything worked very well.  The first part of my presentation to the students focused on just how we know what we know about the brain.  I shared with them stories from the past (Tan, and Phineas Gage) that allowed doctors and scientists to learn about the brain long before technology was available to them.  These two men (and many others) played a huge role in the early years of neuroscience, and are prominent in the literature.  We then moved on to the present day, and the amazing brain-imaging technologies that allow doctors and scientists to look inside brains while they are still alive- inside the heads of living, breathing, functioning humans!  We discussed imaging technologies such as PET Scanning, MRI, fMRI and DTI (diffusion tensor imaging- which allows examination of individual neurons and their connections to other neurons.)  Amazing! 

We then turned our attention to the topic of developing- and sustaining- the healthiest brain possible.  I provided information for the DeSales 5th graders about five 'brain health' topics:

1.  Physical Exercise  ( Good for the heart = good for the brain!  And, BDNF= Miracle Grow for the Brain)
2.  Sleep  (The importance of Consolidation of learning during sleep-  and the effect of sleep on learning.)
3.  Brain Food  (Foods high in antioxidants-  that combat the negative effects of aging- on the body & brain)
4.  Drugs, alcohol, nicotine  (The danger these substances have on the "still-developing" adolescent brain)
5.  Learning  (Learning actually increases the brain's POTENTIAL for learning!) 

We covered a lot of topics!  After each bit of information, the students were given 30 seconds of "think-time", and then 2 minutes to work on their "Ready, Set, Draw" sheets.  For each topic, they had to capture what they had learned in the form of a visual (no words allowed) that they would take home and discuss with their parents tonight. 

It was great fun for ME, and I'm hoping that the DeSales 5th graders enjoyed our time together.  Thanks, Mrs. Buddenberg, for setting this up!  And to you 5th graders---- feel free to contact me again with questions that might arise about the brain.  I may not know the answer, but I'll try to find out for you.

While I love my adult students (the teachers and administrators with whom I work) I was reminded today about how WONDERFUL it is to work with KIDS!  

This is a big week for me!  I leave on Thursday, January 12 for Napa, CA and another installment of learning with Pat Wolfe and The Brainy Bunch!  This year, the focus is on the Adolescent Brain, and we will be hearing from two experts-  one an educators and author, and the other, a neuroscientist specializing in adolescent brain development.  I can't wait!  My intent is to post to this blog several times while I'm gone, to keep you abreast of what I'm learning! 

Thanks for "listening".  I'd love to hear from you! 

Hi Everyone,

So... one of my New Year's Resolutions is to become a better blogger.  Here it is- December 27, and I'm getting started on it.  This is a good sign.

I hope that you all had a wonderful Christmas.  I did.  We hosted my extended family- the Cresaps, who came from Waterloo, Des Moines, Omaha, and Grand Rapids, Michigan.  Only one niece, Emily, wasn't able to make it.  Even my mom-  Doris Cresap- who is a very young 89 year old, made the trek to Cedar Falls.  We had a great time, and it was fun for Tom and I to entertain in our new home.

So-  my topic today- as this is what I've been pondering- is how technology is changing our brains.  I've been thinking about the two labels often used when talking about people and technology:  digital natives, and digital immigrants.  I am certainly an immigrant- I've known this for a long time.  I didn't grow up in a world that was driven by technology-  I've had to learn everything that I know-  and have had to learn how to use all of the digital devices that I use every day of my life.  And let me assure you, the learning process has not always been easy- or pretty.  

Here's how old I am:

• I learned to type on the latest technology of the 1970s- the electric typewriter.  I can remember being amazed that mistakes could me made- and corrected- by the machine!  No more having to "roll back" the manual typewriter to the specific spot on the paper, use White-Out to dab at the mistake, and then try to get the typewriter lined up to retype.  
• IF there was a computer in my high school (and I'm not SURE that there was) there was only one- and it was in the office area.
• I had to use phones that were tethered to the wall- in order to talk with someone!
• When traveling, I was simply "out of touch" for the duration of the trip.
• When shopping, I actually had to leave my home and drive to various stores!
• When reading a book, I actually had to have a physical copy in my hands- and I had to turn the pages myself!
• When I needed to "look something up", I turned to the set of Britannica Encyclopedias on my shelf- OR... I drove myself to the library to access the latest, greatest resources--- books, newspapers, and magazines!

The best gift I received for Christmas this year, was a "book" that my mom has been working on for several years.   The Story of My Life,  lovingly written by Doris Elaine Wilson Cresap, describes my mom's growing up years.  Born in 1922 and raised on a farm during the Great Depression,  my mom's early years are described in stories that are simply hard to fathom in THIS day and age.  She talks of shearing sheep, spraying the orchard trees with insecticides, doing the laundry with an old wringer machine, baking bread once a week for the family, creating toys to play with from items such as an old wheel and a beef bone.  (yes, a beef bone)  She tells stories of how all of the farmers would team up to bring in the harvest each year- moving the threshing machines from farm to farm and working together, while the women moved from farm to farm preparing meals for their husbands and sons.   Needless to say, it is a fabulous piece of writing-  for both the historical picture that she paints, and the valuable family stories that she tells.  As I was reading it, I continually was reminded of just how DIFFICULT life was back then.  It took every member of the family- every minute of everyday- just to engage in the work of growing the food, tending to the livestock, preparing the food, sewing the clothing.  They spent all of their time doing the tasks that would enable them to simply LIVE their lives!  No technology to help out- no extras- no time spent figuring out how to use their time! 

It's amazing to think about the changes my mom has seen in her 89 years.  She bought her first laptop computer just 2 years ago, and regularly uses e-mail to communicate with her kids and grand kids.  She also "surfs" the internet when she's interested in knowing more about a topic, and has been known to check out some of her grand kids' Facebook pages. While she would be the first to tell you that she struggles with technology, it is very obvious that she has embraced it--- and her brain has "rewired" itself to meet the needs of her changing world.  (This brain rewiring is probably one of the reasons why, at the age of 89, she is as sharp as a tack- with a memory that makes the rest of us marvel!)  She is truly a life-long learner!

So... back to MY story-  and the way that MY brain is being rewired by technology.  My first exposure to computers was in the 1980s when I scavenged a collection of Apple IIes for my 3rd graders to use in practicing their keyboarding skills.  My first personal computer was an Apple II GS, and then a MAC.  My classroom at Glick Elementary was selected as a pilot classroom for the Marshalltown district in the early 90's, and it was equipped with 6 PCs, a large screen TV for projecting and INTERNET ACCESS! (Thanks Judy L. and Becky M.)  Now those were exciting times-  times that required continual learning, exploring, experimenting,---  much frustration--- but much excitement! 

Now, in 2011, I find that I am STILL learning.  I would never have been able to imagine- back when I was learning how to use those old Apples-- that I would be:

• Routinely using Google Docs, Google Forms, Google Sites
• Using Wikispaces to create websites for my classes
• Creating and maintaining my OWN website  (www.motivationforlearning.com)
• Using a Blog  (trying to become a blogger)
• Hosting live Webinars
• Using tools such as Diigo, igoogle, Facebook, Moodle etc.

I've come a long way, solely because my desire to learn- and my perseverance- allowed my brain to rewire itself for these new challenges.  I remember struggling with my first "mouse" thinking to myself that I would NEVER learn to control it---- and I know that my brain just had to "rewire" itself- to the point where maneuvering the mouse is now (by far) the EASIEST part of using the computer!  I can honestly say, it's been a long time since I've had to consciously think about using my mouse!

With the ever growing list of Web 2.0 tools that are now available, my brain continues to grow and change- and be challenged.  Just this morning, using software that I was beginning to feel competent with--- I've been thrown a loop.  I can't make it do what I want it to do.  So....  I've reached out for help-- to one of my "digital native" friends.  I'm hoping that she can help me get "unstuck".  Until then-  I'm going to give my brain a rest and go shopping-  the old fashioned way-  I'm going to drive myself to the mall, and try to find a few after-Christmas bargains.

Another Great Opportunity to Learn- this time with Dr. Lynn Erickson!

Pat Wolfe and me

With Pat Wolfe, at the January 2011 Brainy Bunch Renewal.