With the overwhelming success of the Kyoto JALT MASH '09 meeting in February, we have decided to adopt that format again. This time, the focus will be on brain-based teaching and learning-centered activities, with a keynote presentation on brain studies by Dr. Curtis Kelly, a poster session by five teachers and discussion circles for everyone.
Schedule
1:00 - Registration
1:15 - Keynote Presentation: "Brain Studies and the Science of Learning" by Dr. Curtis Kelly
2:15 - Break
2:30 - Poster Session: Five Teachers Share Learning-Centered Methods & Activities
3:30 - Break
3:45 - Discussion Circles: Issues and Action Plans
4:45 - Wrap-up and clean up
Details
1. Keynote Presentation: Brain Studies and the Science of Learning 1:15 – 2:15
Brain studies give us a better picture of how learning occurs. A growing movement called “brain-compatible teaching” calls on us to develop teaching practices that focus less on language and more on how it is learned. In an updated version of his popular featured speaker JALT2008 workshop, the presenter discusses discoveries such as the roles of deep processing, sleep, interaction, body maps and emotion.
2. Poster Session: Learning-Centered Methods & Activities 2:30 - 3:30
How can we use what we know about learning in the classroom? Look at some of the things our colleagues are doing to make English teaching more brain-compatible.
3. Discussion Circles: Issues and Action Plans 3:45 – 4:45
Let’s put our heads together and discuss some of the issues raised in the presentation and poster sessions. A variety of group discussion circles will be organized with specific topics, such as “What kind of action research could we do to test these claims?” or “How can we adapt our teaching to fit the multiple intelligences theory?” Participants choose circles, work together to find answers to these questions, make action plans and offer ideas back to the whole group.
For more details see http://www.kyotojalt.org/
