A summary of points from ‘Understanding The Learning Brain’, a TQI Accredited session for teachers by Phil Dye . For more about the presenter, click HERE.
Phil Dye contact:
Phone: 0412 678 179
Email: phil@mindz.com.au
Updated April 6, 2021
School STEM incursions for all grades
*The presenter will wear a mask and use sanitiser before fitting headsets.
*Students being fitted with a headset must also wear their own mask
Teacher PD
Phil Dye: Founder of Mindz Brainplay
In all of our teachers’ PD, student sessions or corporate experiences, we stress the irrefutable fact that multitasking, once the holy grail of workplace behavior, does NOT produce good results.
Our brain experiences electrical changes throughout the day depending on what we’re planning, thinking, doing, hearing or experiencing. The brain state needed for multitasking involves our brain cells (neurons) being high in electricity. This is called ‘Beta’ and it’s where we do many things at once yet do none of these 
exceptionally well. There is immense brain work involved in trying to juggle many things at once and it’s exceptionally tiring. Teachers know that all too well!
Unfortunately, multitasking does not allow the brain to move into ‘Theta’, the low-electrical brain state necessary for mistake-free work or learning. Learning and focus comes with no distraction or pressure. It comes with quiet or at least limited sound dynamics.
It doesn’t come naturally after 20 minutes of playground play, rugby training or jostling up the stairs to get to class. It will never exist with office PA announcements during class, the sound of jackhammers, students calling out or the distraction of mobile phones. Mobile phones on silent are even worse as students constantly check for possible messages. Mobile phones in a locker at least 10 metres from a smart watch is the only answer.
It also follows that a student’s brain state is often a reflection of the teacher’s brain state. If a teacher is relaxed, controlled and focused, a majority of the class will reflect that. If a teacher is pressured, distracted and stressed, the class will usually be the same – an impossible state for student learning and a terrible state for teaching job satisfaction.
Understanding the learning brain not only equips teachers with a toolbox for creating the best learning zone in students, it equips them with knowledge about their own brain state. Not covered in any teacher training course, it’s vital knowledge for today’s teacher.
Fact or Fallacy is strictly for Investigating Science Students.
Fact or Fallacy Students will conduct a series of mind-based EEG experiments to prove Fact or Fallacy on several common beliefs. A common belief is that lying down helps a person relax and creates ‘Theta’ brainwaves. Another belief is that heavy metal music creates ‘Beta or Gamma’ waves and cannot help a person relax. The session investigates these beliefs using our EEG headsets to see if they fit into the areas of Fact or Fallacy. We train the students on EEG use.
This investigation is different to the ‘Working Scientifically‘ session in that students don’t design their investigation. All guidance is supplied. For the full session outline, click HERE.
Outcome Points: (relevant to all the sciences)
11/12-1, 11/12-3, 12-5, 1/12-6, 12-7, 11/12-2
Group size: We can cater for up to 20 students in a research session. However, we only supply 2 x headsets and 2 x laptops for up to 10 students to use. Schools with more than 10 students in the session need to provide laptops or tablets for extra groups. They will also need to purchase 1 x headset per extra group at the cost of $240. We provide training and notes on their use. Most schools find these invaluable for use in further investigation or teaching students how to find their ‘learning state’.
For costs, syllabus points and extra information, click HERE.
To inquire or make a booking, see below…
Mindz will guide classes through a 90-120 minute scientific exploration using EEG headsets we provide (up to 2).
The session is based around group scientific investigation, not lecture and presentation. After a 15 minute introduction, students will design an investigation and then collect, analyse and evaluate data following scientific method. They will then communicate this information to a specific audience.
For those new to science
If you have students new to the sciences, designing their own research project can be daunting. We offer an additional ‘practice session’ where students are guided through a research task using scientific method and our EEGs. This is a very step by step session which may not be suitable for advanced science students.
Outcome Points: (relevant to all the sciences)
11/12-1, 11/12-3, 12-5, 1/12-6, 12-7, 11/12-2,
Group size: We can cater for up to 20 students in a research session. However, we only supply 2 x headsets and 2 x laptops for up to 10 students to use. Schools with more than 10 students in the session need to provide laptops or tablets for extra groups. They will also need to purchase 1 x headset per extra group at the cost of $214. We provide training and notes on their use. Most schools find these invaluable for use in further investigation or teaching students how to find their ‘learning state’.
For costs, syllabus points and extra detail, click HERE.
To book or inquire, see below
