Knowing something about accelerated learning helps students improve their study skills. Simply stated, Accelerated Learning or ‘whole brain’ learning methods are designed to relax students, and open them up to learning using a holistic approach. Yes, it’s a little different from traditional classroom learning, but it works.
The process starts with introducing students to real concepts about themselves and how their body/brain works. Once identified, AL emphasizes methods to activate our hidden human abilities and improve our results – not only for greater academic success, but for greater success in EVERYTHING. A well-run, AL-based course or workshop uses many experiential activities specifically designed to keep learners engaged and ‘in the game.’ (No ‘sit and git,’ ‘chalk and talk’ or ‘death by lecture!”) At the same time the activities teach practical techniques to enhance the learning experience. The message is definitely one of self-responsibility.
When working with students, I often use a neat framework called ‘The Four Powers of Greatness – Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening.’ The Four Powers are all about effective communication and the bottom line is highly successful people are proficient in all four of these areas. I use this as a common thread throughout all of the sessions and provide tips on how to improve in these areas. As a speaker and trainer I’ve observed the overwhelming number of people who can read and comprehend, but can’t effectively express themselves through writing. Many people can speak (and speak, and speak) but really do a poor job of listening. From where I sit, this is unacceptable.
My heart goes out to teachers and professors everywhere. I realize that there are many demands and working with a large population of students, all with varying learning styles and personalities can be a challenge. Stress can be a factor for professors and students alike. Stress shuts us down AL also addresses ways to reduce the stress of learning new things and how to move past learning barriers.
I do trainings for educators as well so they can adopt AL techniques into their teaching toolbag. When working with students, I really encourage professors to attend at least one of the sessions to see a model of Accelerated Learning Instruction in action. This often results in continued conversation about simple things that professors can do inside of their classrooms to reduce the stress of teaching and increase the joy of learning. Yes, it is possible!
The bottom line is that learning doesn’t have to be hard. You just have to know how to use the equipment we were all endowed with. We have a user guide for our computer, our cell phone, our DVD player and our iPod. Accelerated Learning gives us a user guide for our brains!
Smiles ‘til later!
Millicent!
About Millicent St. Claire
