Session 6

Session 6

Teacher Communication/ Nonconscious learning

Teacher Communication

• If you had to decide to send your child to either of the two schools below, which one would you pick?– A) a school beautifully appointed with wonderful

resources, great view, good technology, great playground and an average teacher

– B) an average school, even a bit on the run down side with great teachers


• When students are treated well, their brains produce feel good chemicals and commonly make decisive statements like, “I Like Learning.”


• Teachers are not merely influenced by overall school climate; they create their own microclimates in classrooms. Learners in a positive, joyful environment are likely to experience enhanced learning, memory and self-esteem.– Why is this? Mirrors Neurons systems


• Mirror Neuron System ( Rizzolati, and Gallasse) discovered using a subset of brain cells by accident (using magnetic imagery machines)– Were studying the brains of monkey as they

preformed complex actions/ tasks– They found that as they performed these tasks a

certain subset of neurons fire– However they also discovered that monkeys who

were watching other monkeys do the same tasks, that their brains fired the same as if they were doing it


• They deduced that this is the basis of imitation learning related to – Social learning, the contagious yawning, mob

behaviors, copy cat crimes– They also say this is why students pickup on students

emotions– As people get older, they are less susceptible to these

behaviors unless their frontal lobes are damaged– However, teenagers and young children have not

outgrown this.


• In the classroom, it is now believed that students pickup on and are affected by a teacher’s mood far more than previously believed.


• Teachers who smile, use humor, have a joyful demeanor and take a genuine pleasure in their work generally have high performing learners.

• Or is it vive versa?


• Does it ever seem like when you are in a good mood, your students are in one as well?


• Expectations increase the likelihood of certain behaviors which in turn may influence the outcome



• Rosenthal and Jacobson did a famous study in which they told teachers that 20 % of their class that they randomly selected had “unusual potential for academic Growth.”

• Eight months later, these students showed significant academic growth compared to those not identified.


• The result of this study were reproduced reliably

• Can be done the opposite as well, tell someone that the person is bad and the teacher will see bad.


• A teacher smile or lack there of, communicates more than you can imagine

• Can you think of any examples of when you were feeling down and students were at their worst?

• On bad days, you need to get entered, put on a good face,

• Teaching is acting


• How do you draw the line between an authority figure and being gentle and not turning the students off?


• Some jobs have automatic authority– Police– Military– Clergy– Doctors

• But teachers do not have this- actually, sometimes it is the opposite


• A teachers respect is earned by their ability to win over the students’ respect– Your respect is judged by your actions as well as

your content message– When successful students will do what you ask,

because they believe and trust in you.

Teacher Communication• Things you can do as a

teacher that will increase credibility

• Model respect, respect your learners and they will be respectful of you

• Share your experience. How long have you been in the profession, and what has been instruments for your growth

• Talk about your mentors and role models

• Volunteer to work on district, state or national projects or committees

• Become know as a your organizations spokesperson on a particular subject-preferably your area of expertise

• Attend continuing education courses


• Things you can do as a teacher that will increase credibility (continued)– Attend continuing

education courses, conferences and workshops. Present at them if possible

– Keep your promises and commitments

• Use positive language- never vulgarity, profanity, Interrupt al racist or sexist remarks made by anyone in your presences

• Contribute articles to periodicals, anthologies, or scholarly journals for publications consideration


• Although we are only able to process one incoming sensory message at a time, the subconscious works overtime translating all the other sensory data.

• Your body/ mind has the ability to completely focus on one thing, like a movie, concert, driving and later you remember details you were not focused on?


• You have also heard that people that when you communicate you give off verbal as well as nonverbal communication and that people believe on the nonverbal more.


• Your learners are the same, you need to say the same thing with your body as well as your words.

• Your students are aware of both and are the nonverbal has more of an impact


• Does your appearance/dress effect your students performance?

• What do you think?


• John Molloy (1988) did a study to determine the impact of teacher dress on students learning. Malloy fund that teachers that dressed better, experienced fewer student discipline problems and better work habits.

• He also found that the socioeconomic background of the students effected the type of clothing the students responded to


• John Malloy’s research was not taking seriously in education circles, but was a big hit in business circles

• PE Teacher- black sweat suits• Would you feel comfortable with a doctor

that dressed like a bum?


• What is the line between control for learning and controlling too much that causes stress.


• Excessive control by a teacher increases stress and reduces learning

• If students are predominantly self motivated, they must be given the opportunity to focus on areas of their own interest

• Learner must be stakeholders• The new model of teaching is analogous to offering

substance for the learners to fill his or her own containers, it reframes the teachers as more of a learning coach


• Chang ( 2001)- found, not surprisingly, that students learn better when they find the information of personal use to them


• Need to get students to have a positive attitude about learning

More effective communication can help with this , use the SAT approach for more effective learningSuggest

Ask Tell


• Suggest- this method provides a strong perceived choice- i.e.. You might like to use your colored pens for taking notes

• Ask- make a request in a way that encourages students to follow- i.e. would you please use your colored pens for taking notes

• Tell- this is primarily used to provide instructional directions- it simply give learners a direct statement in an expectant tone-i.e...- using your colored pens, please write this down..


• Less effective Communication Methods– Hope- this request is not verbalized: rather it is

simply assumed that learners will comply- The thought is actually outside their awareness, Since the learners do not know about it, there is no perceived choice

– Imply-the request is never made, rather it is talked around in hope the learners will infer from implication. Because there is no overt recommendation, there is minimal perceived choice.


• Less effective Communication Methods ( continued)– Demand/threaten- this is an order, delivered in a

way that the learners have minimal or no perceived choice. This method should be reserved for occasion when a person’s safety is in danger

– Force- this is to be used only in and emergency. Learners have no perceived choice; no other option is available to them. This is inacceptable unless lives and property are stake stake.


• Controlled and quiet environments are not the most ideal environment for learning?

• Valle (1990) found 50 % needed extensive mobility while learning- of the remaining, 25 % needed occasional mobility- and the remaining need some mobility

• STOPPED


• TPR – Total Physical Response – is an approach to teaching language requiring immediate physical responses .

• TPR

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Mk6RRf4kKs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Mk6RRf4kKs


• Try to associate new information with physical movements

Teacher Non Conscious Learning

• Your Nonconscious Mind acts before your conscious mind does

• Research has shown that 99% of learning is nonconscious- is from non intended stimuli that far exceeds that derived from traditional delivered content or what was outlined by the lesson plan.


• Take group projects- students are learning all types of things no intended. Some good some bad- learning content/ correct and in correct- about others in the group?


• What is nonconscious learning?• it refers to something that we learn that we

do not pay attention to in the moment


• Some principles about Nonconscious learning:– Acknowledge the minds enormous capacity for

reception• Everything suggest something to our complex minds-

what the teachers wear, the environment is like, presentation of material• Conscious direct learning drops over time, the use of

suggestion actually increases learning over time.


• Some principles about Nonconscious learning:– All communication takes place on a conscious and

non conscious level at the same time, teachers need to be aware of both

– Teachers must be trained regarding their nonverbal message


• Some principles about Nonconscious learning:– Categorize the value of visuals, music, stories ,

myths metaphors and movements• All stimuli to the brain are coded, symbolized,

generalized and multi processed in ways that has yet to be understood

Teacher Non Conscious Learning• Address perceptions, biases and barriers before learning.– Once we recognize our strengths and weaknesses

we can achieve dramatic results


• Remember that the teacher may be focusing on content, learners are absorbing much more than just what your saying

• They are also listening to your utterings and observing your facial expression

• Be aware of your nonverbal messages and that they are congruent with what is intended


• Examples of ways to use positive suggestions– While I do not expect to make scientist out of

you, I do expect to provide you with the basics.– You might be surprised by how interesting science

can be; many students ask me to give them more resources.


• Examples of ways to use positive suggestions– Don’t forget to do your homework– Be sure to remember to do the word problems

tonight at home. We will go over the answers tomorrow


• Examples of ways to use positive suggestions– Hey guess what? There are only 45 days of school

left until school is out.– Bummer, only 45 days are left for us to be

together in this classroom. The good news, though, is there are only 153 days until school starts again, and you’ll be in a higher grade


• Examples of ways to use positive suggestions– If you do not complete any of the four basic

requirements, you can expect to fail this course. There are no exceptions.

– Complete all four requirements for this course, and you can expect to pass. Anything less, however, means a no-pass grade.


Documents

Session 6