Training from the BACK of the Room! (TBR)

This very short video is an excellent animation and explanation of “neuroplasticity” – the ability we all possess to rewire our brain.

Sentis is a company whose mission includes helping workers make sustainable positive changes in their organizations. Part of what Sentis offers is short, animated, educational videos about the human brain. Below is their video on “Neuroplasticity,” a concept that has been explored in-depth by cognitive neuroscientists in the 21st century. It basically means that the human brain rewires itself whenever it learns (and practices remembering or doing) something new.

(To view the video in full-screen mode, click on the white “play” arrow and then click on the white square icon on the bottom right of the slide screen.)

 Neuroplasticity by Sentis

The implications for those of us who instruct others are enormous. Here are two implications that come to mind:

1. Anyone can learn new information or new skills, regardless of age, culture, habits, skill-levels, or upbringing.
As teachers and trainers, we should remind ourselves of this whenever our students are struggling to learn new concepts or strategies. And, whether we teach in-person or virtual classes, we should use a variety of instructional activities to help all students learn.

If you wonder whether or not your students have learned the new content you’ve taught, click on the following blog post:

You Said It But Did They Get It? How To Check For Understanding. 

After reading the post, think about how you might use these strategies in your virtual classes to check for understanding.

2. Repetition is key to rewiring the brain.
We don’t learn anything by one exposure to it, i.e. by doing it, or being exposed to it, just once. We learn by repeating the thing learned, over and over again, and over a period of time (hours, days, weeks, months).

As teachers and trainers, we should “revisit” major concepts during our classes by building in short practice activities. These activities, spaced throughout an entire learning experience, will strengthen students’ retention of important concepts. For a list of these short practice activities, click on the following blog post:

Got a Minute? 60-Second Activities to Revisit Content.

Again, think about ways you might insert these strategies into the virtual/remote classes you facilitate. You can also download and share the infographic below with interested colleagues:

Got A  Minute? (free infographic)

For more interactive strategies that you can use for both virtual and in-person instruction and learning, consider attending one of the TBR-VE™ Classes or one of the in-person TBR Practitioner Classes. Click on the red button below for the public calendar links and check back because classes are added weekly/monthly.