For all the talk about right-brain versus left-brain and how so many schools need to move away from left-brain tasks and to introduce more right-brain tasks, few people are proposing just how we begin to do that.
The left-brain versus right-brain dilemma (these are generic, over-arching terms, mind you) is not solely about student learning; it's about adult learning as well--faculty, staff, administration. For example, change leadership requires substantive involvement of the right brain.
A cursory look at brain waves might be helpful. We need to shift from using beta waves to employing more alpha waves. The issue is that low amplitude beta waves are associated with being awake and having our eyes open, quite literally. Alpha waves are associated with a relaxed state--with the eyes closed. These brain waves are incredibly strong; in fact, they are the strongest brain signals produced that are detected by electroencephalography (EEG).
The point is that open eyes produce an abundance of beta waves, while closed eyes produce an abundance of alpha waves.
How might we use this knowledge to our advantage in schools, insofar as learning is concerned, but also insofar as leadership is concerned? Do we schedule time to meditate throughout the day? In some schools, that may be the answer. In other schools, perhaps it is to schedule "down time" during the school day, when students are permitted to engage in something relaxing, whether that is reading, sitting quietly, or what not. In terms of our school leaders, we can understand that some quiet time (meditation, relaxation) will afford them the opportunity to be increasingly thoughtful and reflective.
If we were able to cultivate the whole brain during the school day/school year, one wonders what new heights we might reach.
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