Neuroscience has a new understanding of how the brain works: the brain is a prediction machine and Predictive Processing is the system by which we navigate and learn about the world. We constantly process information from our environment and store it in our memory and actively draw on this data to make sense of and act on new incoming information. We can do this quickly and efficiently by making predictions based on what is already known. Our predictions are mostly accurate, but sometimes we meet the unexpected, and this is when we learn something new – when we recognize a gap between what we expected and what we discover. We then adjust of our internal models of the world.
The forum will first present the basics of Predictive Processing and its role in learning and effective classroom practices. Following this initial overview, there will be brief introductions to some applications in the language classroom, such as multi-word utterances, grammar, intensive reading, extensive reading, and study abroad. This will be followed by two consecutive breakout sessions in which the participants can choose to join two different speakers on two topics listed above for focused and in-depth discussions.
Speakers names and topics:
Curtis Kelly: Intro to PP and MC
Caroline Handley: intensive reading
Harumi Kimura:multi-word utterances
Cooper Howland: grammar
Jason Lowes: PP in depth
Stephen M. Ryan: study abroad
Amanda Gillis Furutaka: extensive reading.
