Course Key Information
Duration:
7 days
Location:
Spain
UK/EU fee:
560€
Start Date:
October 2021
When
Dates
Mental Gymnastics to stimulate the brain will attend courses during 2023 in following dates:
2023
Spain – Alicante
From Sunday 2nd April to Saturday 8th
From Sunday 9th July to Saturday 15th
From Sunday 16th July to Saturday 22nd
From Sunday 8th October to Saturday 14th
From Sunday 29th October to Saturday 4th November
From Sunday 3rd December to Saturday 9th
Why choose
Mental gymnastics to stimulate the brain. Neuroscience to turn education around
Everyone is able to get the most out of their brain and our students even more so, as they are at a very active evolutionary moment on a cerebral level. They just need a little motivation. It is true that brain stimulation involves effort, but what if this effort were enjoyable? You will learn the incredible benefits of this little effort.
The assistant will be able to:
- Understand the importance of the brain's executive functions for proper learning.
- Understand the difference between "growth mindset" and "fixed mindset".
- Experience how a relaxed brain works through specific techniques.
- Prepare the brain for concentration and achieve increased attentional endurance.
Course Details
Mental gymnastics to stimulate the brain. neuroscience to turn education around
Thanks to this course we will discover how our brain works and what is the quality fuel it needs for optimal development. We'll take our brain to the gym and make it sweat with the intention of making it stronger and capable of changing.
This course is aimed at teachers of all levels who want to know the many possibilities of making our brains and those of our students work to produce a change on a cognitive and emotional level and therefore improve our quality of life.
Methodology
The working method will be theoretical and practical. Work will be done individually, in pairs and in groups. Moreover, We will carry out fun and motivating activities to integrate what we have learned.
-Meditations, visualisations and brain games will be carried out to stimulate the brain.
- The students will always have our support and we will be at their disposal for any doubt or proposal.
By the end of the course, the company will give the participants a certificate of attendance that includes detailed information about the course, such as the title, programme and timetable. In addition, a Europass mobility certificate can be added on request.
Costs and erasmus funding
The cost of the seven day course is 560€, including course fee, certification and support fee, cultural and sport activities in the city. You will also receive a certificate of attendance. The cost includes arrival on Sunday and departure on Saturday. The company offers an Optional cultural package to deepen in relationship between all participants.
The training course is tailored to be fully funded by Erasmus + to teachers, trainers, headmasters and any other staff of education organizations. Furthermore trainers can help in Key Action 1 Application to ensure that participants can get the grant and could be eligible to receive an Erasmus + grant that cover all the costs of the course.
Justification
Until recently, neuroscientists used to think that human beings were born with a fixed number of neurons and these neurons were "dying" as we grew up. As a consequence, our mental abilities were lessened. However, neuroscience has discovered that we can produce and trigger "neurogenesis" (the birth of new neurons) by practising a specific physical or mental activity that stimulates certain regions of the brain, creating therefore new neuronal connections. In short, the brain is plastic and this opens up a new paradigm in education: no more "labels". Inclusion is welcomed. Everyone is able to make the most of their brain and our students more, as they are in a very active evolutionary moment at the brain level. All they need is some motivation. It’s true that brain stimulation involves an effort, but what if this effort were pleasant?
General objetives
One of the main objectives of this course is to be aware of the potential that our brains and those of our students have. Another objective is to observe in the educational field "the labels" that are unfairly placed on students and to create the seed of change, both in students who have no difficulties and those who do.
Furthermore, "self-knowledge" is a fundamental aspect in order to know our weaknesses and our strengths and thus be able to work accordingly.
Specific objetives
- To know the physiology of the brain.
- To understand the importance of the brain's executive functions for correct learning.
- To understand the difference between "growth mentality" and "fixed mentality".
- To experience how a relaxed brain works through specific techniques.
- To get the brain ready for concentration and manage to increase attentional resistance.
- To develop the ability to visualise images, sounds, sensations, smells and tastes to achieve greater control of our brain.
- To enhance our memory through stimulating and fun procedures.
- To exercise our mental flexibility through analysis and synthesis techniques.
- To maximise our decision-making capacity.
- To explore our creativity and its infinite possibilities.
Weekly Programme
This weekly programme is for guidance only. Depending on the needs of the participants and the professional profiles, the course may change. It is a flexible programme.
The course trainers will welcome the participants on Sunday afternoon and all the course material will be handed out. The main training, instruction and practical activities will take place from Monday to Friday. Finally, a course summary and final evaluation will be made on Saturday morning and certificates of attendance will be issued. The standard orientation programme is briefly explained below.
Theoretical part
- We will learn the basic notions of the brain and how it works.
- We will understand some important facts about how the brain learns.
- We will explain the meaning of "executive functions" and "growth mentality".
Practical part: We will work in sections, every day we will practice two sections
- Section 1: Mental Relaxation: Focusing attention
- Section 2: Mental Flow: Concentration
- Section 3: Mental flow: Increasing resistance.
Application of these exercises in the classroom
- Free cultural activity: discovering the city and its cultural heritage. Visit to Alicante city and Santa Bárbara Castle. Free activity included in the course.
Theoretical part
- Brief explanation about the importance of stimulating our capacity to concentrate and how new technologies are seriously damaging this capacity.
- We will see tips on how to practice mental gymnastics correctly in order to obtain tangible results.
- We will discuss the importance of visualizations in order to have more control over our brain.
Practical part
- Section 4: Projecting in images.
- Section 5: Thinking in words.
- Section 6: Mental Power: solving problems.
Application of these exercises in the classroom
- Free cultural activity: Discovering the city and its cultural heritage. You will visit MARQ Museum, archaeological and historical site awarded as Best European Museum in 2004. Visit included in course fees.
Theoretical part
- Tips for practising section 7 and 8.
Practical part
- Section 7: Mind Game: having fun with your head.
- Section 8: Remembering: memory muscles.
- Application of these exercises in the classroom.
- Workshops, networking and exchange of good practices with other participants from other courses attending at the same time during the week.
- Presentation of your own school and your KA1 PROJECT with all participants from the course and other structured courses of the company.
- Optional cultural activity: trip to Tabarca Island in Alicante with all participants from the course and other structured courses of the company. Guided tour with historical and cultural inputs. Boat and paella included in the price of the package.
Theoretical part
- Tips for practicing section 9,10 and 11.
Practical part
- Section 9: Mental flexibility: analysis and synthesis.
- Section 10: Decision-making: mental control.
- Section 11: Creative process: mental health.
Application of these exercises in the classroom
- Optional dinner in Alicante. Networking activity to deepen the relationship between all participants.
- A final evaluation will be made with requests and questions to close the course.
- Delivery of the certificates of attendance.
Instructor
Meet Our Teaching Staff
Apply for Coding in school: get ready for the future
Typical offer
A Level Grades: BBC
BTEC Grades: DMM
Points Required: 112
Essential Subjects
Mathematics National 5 (B), Intermediate 2 (C), Standard Grade (3),
GCSE (C/4) or equivalent.
Points can be from any qualification on the UCAS tariff, but must
include at least 80 points from
Typical offer
A Level Grades: BBC
BTEC Grades: DMM
Points Required: 112
Essential Subjects
Mathematics National 5 (B), Intermediate 2 (C), Standard Grade (3),
GCSE (C/4) or equivalent.
Points can be from any qualification on the UCAS tariff, but must
include at least 80 points from