Incorporating Emotions Into Learning

As part of the 3D Game Lab Summer Camp I was asked to watch this TED Talk and reflect on the content.

My big take-away was that I didn't realize how much emotion is being considered when making a video game. Wow, imagine if teachers did the same thing with learning in the classroom. Of course, all this ties into what we know about brain-based learning and successful people. If teachers can arouse emotion when teaching, students will be more effective in comprehending the information. And, successful people better understand and manage their emotions.

I'm in the early stages of truly understanding the power of emotion and learning. Brain-based learning has introduced the concept to me but this video help drive home the importance and the potential of it's misuse. Emotion could be utilized in negative ways to push political agendas or brain-washing as mentioned in the video but emotion could also be overused making us all reliable on medication to control our own emotions.

So, my immediate use of what I have ingested will be to develop a story and emotions as an overlay in a quest game environment where I am developing professional development for teachers.

Paradigm Shift - Teachers Not Ready

Like James Gee many educators think education is ready for a paradigm shift or on the "verge of something great" (Dr. Carina Self - Seedlings Podcast 5-19-2011 http://edtechtalk.com/node/4971) but I disagree based on my experience. (However, if we are basing it on "education years" (like dog years but educational years) then yes we are likely in a paradigm shift that may be implemented in 20 - 50 years.) Education itself is ready and needs a paradigm shift but the people in charge and the people that make it happen are not ready. All you have to do is read some of the discussions in our 3d Game Lab forums, listen to discussions at educational meetings, and my latest reassurance an industry hosted back to school night for teachers sharing information about the Navy and their STEM initiatives (several educators did not like the response they received from the Navy Chief). Anyway, Sir Ken Robinson's animated talk below explains what I am seeing and why I think it will take a long while before we see a true paradigm shift (I hope I'm wrong!).