I love it when science proves us right!

Sara Haboubi, an Empowering Learning Practitioner and Trainer in Ireland, posted this recently.

Cutting edge research from neuroscientists at Georgetown University Medical Centre has shown that, ‘We are not recognizing words by quickly spelling them out or identifying parts of words, as some researchers have suggested. Instead, neurons in a small brain area remember how the whole word looks – using what could be called a visual ‘dictionary”. Read the full article in Journal of Neuroscience here… This research conclusively proves what those of us who have been using the Empowering Learning process for some time believe, that using extra phonics to help those with ‘phonological deficiencies’ is not as effective as teaching explicit strategies for accessing the visual part of the brain and the Word Form Area (WFA). Empowering Learning has three main tenets, these are: 1.       Mental Imagery, the main element if visual learning, is a critical component of all effective learning. 2.       In order for learning to occur the student must be in the optimal learning state, a relaxed body and alert mind, and this state is essential for accessing and controlling mental imagery. 3.       Although some learners innately know how to use mental imagery and get into the optimal learning state, these are skills that can be taught to other learners, provided the right approach is utilised. The Empowering Learning process is much more than just a spelling strategy, although this is where we begin. Once spelling has been mastered, reading and comprehension follow. This leads to an improvement in all areas of literacy. It doesn’t end there. Mental imagery is also essential for numeracy skills and foreign languages. Irish spelling is a great example of how mental imagery can make all the difference. And the best part….once a learner knows how to use their mental imagery effectively they can continue to use this skill without any additional help, empowering them to go on and learn more effectively and efficiently in all areas. So, if you are a parent, teacher, SNA, principal or a literacy coach working with learners with learning difficulties, this course is essential. The process can be used with learners of all ages, from primary school to adults seeking to improve literacy and numeracy skills.  Join the ground-breaking Empowering Learning community and see what remarkable differences. YOU can start making in the lives of others. See below for details of the upcoming course in Ireland and http://www.empoweringlearning.co.uk for other courses. Empowering Learning: Jump-starting Literacy and Numeracy Practitioner Course Course fee – €395 Dates: Day 1 – Sunday 10th May, 9 am – 5 pm Day 2 – Sunday 24th May, 9.30 am – 5 pm Venue: St Joseph’s National School, Rathwire, Killucan, Co Westmeath