Playdough Pictionary has been one of my favorite “go-to” activities for years. Though I first started using it in team-building programs I have found that it is a great active multi-sensory approach to curricular content review as well as a community and group building. The game encourages creativity, consensus building, social interaction, communication, cooperation, appreciation of others, play, and pro-social group work. For teachers this is a playful approach to differentiation, and can be a fun formative assessment.

Recent research from cognitive neuroscientists validates the idea that educators will increase participant attention, motivation, and learning outcomes when they intentionally weave in opportunities to get them away from their desks or boardroom tables and move, interact, discuss and reflect with their peers.

When I work with educators from all backgrounds I often find myself encouraging them to reflect on the idea of a “student centered ” or “participant centered” view of teaching and group facilitation. In this approach an educator/counselor/facilitator thinks of themselves as a “guide” in the process of learning, discovery and group development rather than as an all-knowing teacher and center of knowledge and direction.

During a number of recent conference and workshop sessions I have taken part in some interesting conversations about the philosophy of experiential education and the relationship between experiential approaches and brain based learning. Here is a post from the Inspired Educator Blog archive from March 2010 that explores the principles of experiential education.   What [...]

In my last post I shared highlights from my recent travels to conferences throughout the U.S and Japan. I returned from these trips energized by the co-creative sharing that occurs when passionate educators come together to focus on the art of teaching and group facilitation. During these conferences I worked with some very large groups [...]

February was an incredible month. It began with travels to Chicago to present at the T.E.A.M (Teachers of Experiential and Adventure Methodology) conference. The next weekend was spent in Boston where I celebrated the 10th anniversary of my Facilitator’s Toolbox byline with pre and post conference sessions at the Association for Challenge Course Technology. This [...]

These first weeks of January mark the return to work for many educators, students, community program and school staff. Whether you are an educator or business professional, January brings the beginning of the year, a new school term, the start of new programs, and for many, a tradition of making resolutions, goals, and personal commitments [...]

My last two posts have focused on the importance of practicing what many of us “preach” to our students and clients- the art of reflection. Taking time for self-reflection is key to developing your skills and improving your effectiveness and personal satisfaction in your work as an educator/counselor/ trainer.   Wednesday’s post offered questions that [...]

Last week’s post “Embracing the Quiet and Taking Time to Reflect” focused on the importance of prioritizing time for self reflection to improve your practice as an teacher, trainer, counselor or group facilitator. Taking the time to reflect on our professional practice helps us find meaning in our work, develops insight into what strategies or [...]

  Here in Vermont December is the darkest and quietest time of the year. The days are short but the long evenings are beautifully lit with the peaceful ambiance of candles, holiday lights and snow.  The shorter days bring me into the house earlier. There is more time to sit in front of the fire [...]