The document discusses six qualities for successful learning: 1) Create unexpected surprises to get attention and interest to keep attention. Avoid gimmicks and create gaps in knowledge. 2) Use K-W-L charts to open gaps and create curiosity by identifying what is known and unknown. 3) Remember concrete details instead of abstract ideas to better retain information. Provide examples of remembering specific details. 4) Being concrete is an effective learning strategy, but requires effort to think of specific examples rather than general abstract ideas. The biggest challenge is avoiding forgetfulness and staying concrete.

1. Six qualities for success in learning Kris Baldwin, Technology & Innovation in Education

2. You want to invent new ideas, not new rules. Created in Wordle Page 16

3. Unexpected Surprise—gets attention Interest—keeps attention Avoid gimmickry; create a GAP Gaps between what we know and what we want to know create curiosity. K-W-L Charts Open the gap by creating a mental itch. http://www.aef.com/exhibits/social_responsibility/ad_council/2434 Page 65

4. Concrete Remember the capital of Kansas Remember the first line of “Hey Jude” Remember the Mona Lisa Remember the house where you spent most of your childhood Remember the definition of “truth” Remember the definition of “watermelon” Talk to a neighbor about how it felt to remember these different things. Author’s Note: If the phrase “Hey Jude” drew a blank, please exchange this book for a Beatles album. You’ll be happier . Page 109

5. Concrete Write down as many things that are white in color as you can think of. Page 119

6. Concrete Write down as many things that are white in color as you can think of. Write down as many white things in your refrigerator as you can think of. Page 119

7. Concrete Write down as many things that are white in color as you can think of. Write down as many white things in your refrigerator as you can think of. Most people can list as many white things in their fridge, as they can list white things in general, despite the fact that our fridges do not normally encompass a large part of the universe. Page 119

8. Remember… Simple is hard. Unexpected takes effort and creativity. Concrete is fairly easy, and incredibly effective. The villain for Concrete is easily overcome. It’s forgetfulness. We forget to be concrete and tend to slip back into abstract-speak.

9. This presentation and links to resources included are available online at http://kbaldwin.tie.wikispaces.net/presentations