Exercise and Learning

http://www.cbc.ca/thenational/indepthanalysis/story/2009/10/06/national-braingains.html

     In class we watched this video clip about how exercise can help promote learning. This got me thinking about ways in which past teachers in the school years leading up to post-secondary and even profs which I now have in college have used exercise in our day to day classroom learning in order to get us more focused and ready to learn.

     Throughout elementary school and middle school things like recess and gym class allowed a break from learning and a chance to run around after being seated for a few hours. This activity allowed students to return back to class with a refreshed mind and ready to learn again.

     Even things we have done in this education psychology class engage us in conversations and allow us to relate more with fellow students. Simple things like rearranging our desks into groups, this gives us a break from the lecture and allows us to bounce ideas off of each other. This exercise broadens our perspectives on several topics and lets us experience a different type of learning.

     When I have my own classroom I will try and incorporate active learning into my lessons to keep my students fully involved and interested in what I am teaching. Even things like going outside for a period to do some reading on a sunny day can make the learning environment more enjoyable for me and my students.