Learning in the 21st Century

Having spent the last few days digging into Robert Sternberg's work in the fields of learning and intelligence, I thought it an important topic for blogging. His research and theories are timely for those interested in making schooling more relevant in the 21st century. In particular, the idea that we can become smarter and able to function at higher levels across the lifespan is key today when we are in need of a diverse cadre of problem solvers across the globe.

In some of his latest work, Sternberg writes about the importance of creative and practical thinking, as well as  analytic thinking such as comparing, summarizing, and logical thinking. This work is an example of current knowledge and research that underpins our studies in education, mind and brain. Through these education, mind and brain programs (www.brainsmart.org) effective teachers across the world are now helping their students prepare for adulthood by learning ways of thinking they will be able to use to not only adapt to society as it now exists, but to help shape it into a better world! Let's all do our part to support effective teaching today!

Happy New Year 2012

We embraced the first sunrise of 2012 by exercising as we biked on the beach while enjoying a beautiful sunrise this morning! We are renewing our commitment to exercising, eating right, and embracing every opportunity to learn new knowledge and skills so that we can realize more of our potential and help others to do the same. Happy New Year 2012!

Celebrating a Time of Joy, Friendship, and Goodwill

December 24, 2011

Today we awoke to a beautiful, crisp and sunny day on the gulf coast of Florida! It is hardly like the beginning of winter, though it looks like the puppies scampering on the sandy shores of sparkling quartz might just be playing in a blanket of bright, white snow that has fallen far away.

However, we are wise to remember what others have noted. That is, in fact, around the world many celebrate Christmas during the grey, cold, and possibly gloomy season of the year. Indeed, we are fortunate that this time of holiday, joy, and the warmth of fire help to soothe the feeling of cold winter air in many sites across our earth! In this season, though the cold winds may blow strong, and snow may fall heavy, the warmth of love and joy glows ever more brightly.

While respecting that spiritual beliefs may differ around the world, the love of family and valuing of friendship is universal among people. We wish our friends worldwide a joyful and peaceful holiday season 2011! 

International Association of Cognitive Education and Psychology Conference 2013

Marcus and I have just learned that the 2013 IACEP Conference will be held in Leiden, The Netherlands. The city's site on wikipedia states that Leiden is a city and municipality in the Dutch province of South Holland. Leiden is located on the Old Rhine, at a distance of some 20 kilometers from The Hague to its south and some 40 kilometers from Amsterdam to its north. A university city since 1575, Leiden houses Leiden University and Leiden University Medical Centre. It is twinned with Oxford, the location of England's oldest university. We are very excited about the possibility of presenting at this conference! 

Author David McCullough: On Giving Thanks to Those Who Have Gone Before

Happy Thanksgiving. On this special day we are listening to prize winning author, David McCullough, at the National Book Fair in Washington DC. In a presentation on Book TV McCullough is sharing a powerful concept. It is this, how much those who have gone before us have had a strong influence on our lives to this day. He is speaking, for example, about the writers who have captured in words the vital thoughts and emotions that resonate with us today. In another example, he speaks about the architects who read, studied and then built structures we enjoy today...and so much more. Tune in to this wonderful presentation of gratitude today!

Correction to Previous Post - Join Us for the BrainSMART Georgia Fall Tour Celebrating Teachers This Week!

Due to the success of our first fall tour in Georgia this year, we scheduled another! This week after the Georgia Reading Forum today, hosted by some fabulous teacher leaders I'll be in the following locations. To request more information about attending these events, contact Mary Collington at nsu@brainsmart.org. Hope to see you at one of these events! 

Nov. 7^th:                                               GA Reading Forum,Macon, GA

Nov. 8^th :                                              George Washington Middle School, Cairo, GA

Nov. 9^th:                                               Applebee’s, 400 Barrett Pkwy, Kennesaw, GA

Nov. 10^th:                                             Johnny Carino’s, 3330 Camp Pkwy, Atlanta, GA

Georgia Reading Association Fall Forum

After a great NAEYC conference in Orlando, I'm looking forward to reconnecting with friends and colleagues from across Georgia on Monday, November 7, at the Georgia Reading Association 2011 Fall Forum. The forum will be held at the Macon Centreplex.