Student Examination Time - Motivating students for today, but scholars for life.
“Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.” - Aristotle
This is my experience or perspective regarding our future leaders. Since the publication of “No Child Left Behind,” middle school, high school, and college testing has become a current reality in our educational environments. Well, it is back!! Covid-19, isn’t an excuse for our child's lack for testing or love of education. In this reality, students/scholars of various grade levels are required to take standardized tests in specific areas and in specific subjects. Most if not all districts and schools receive accountability reports every school year leading to strategic changes in budget, personnel, curriculum, instruction, programs, and more. All based on the results of these tests.
YEP!! And we scof everytime our kids tell us: “ I’m not learning anything…” Makes you think...Right? If you think students/scholars have a short attention span, you’d be correct. In fact, in 2002, the average attention span was 13 seconds. NOW...we’re down to mere 7 - 10 seconds - that's just about the attention of a goldfish. Here’s the link for those that are a bit curious about the subject.
https://journals.physiology.org/doi/pdf/10.1152/advan.00109.2016
All schools in America make important decisions that directly affect students or scholars. These decisions may include making your children repeat a grade, prescribing or adding extra classes. In addition, preventing students/scholars from graduating from middle - high school, prescribed interventions/remediation, sanctioning schools organizations, or labeling students/scholars.
“Education’s purpose is to replace an empty mind with an open one.” Malcolm Forbes
THE QUESTION FOR TODAY…
How can students/scholars - parents/guardians, and teachers/educators overcome stress or anxiety? Can these concerns become contagious? Is it possible for students/scholars to achieve success before standardized testing takes place in schools? What are some ways to strengthen our attention span? What are some foods for bettering our energy levels for testing? How to go beyond the goldfish attention? How to stay motivated for testing?
The answers can vary because of the spectrum of memorization and attention span which is wide for all students/scholars. However, from my experience. It is very important for parents, guardians, students, or scholars to stay motivated during these days or weeks. I recently asked a friend of mine who has been teaching social studies for 20 years in Colton, California. He and I believe educators across the nation need to give students/scholars daily positive energy, hype, hope, encouragement, and praise so they can feel wanted and confident in their performance. I know that not all kids see their teachers or professors as role models. I’ll save that topic for another blog my friends.
Just remember this - “ALL” kids tend to repeat to some degree something significant from their loved ones; parents, guardians, and yes...even the teachers. So, if they're stressed, the kids will be too! Of course, if the parents, guardians, or teachers are in a positive mood, the students/scholars will be too!! And, if the teachers or professors instill confidence, the kids will do their best to achieve daily.
Drink one 6oz glass of water before bed and when you rise the next morning.
Sleep habits should be 5 - 8 hours of rest each night
Proper nutrition proteins, fibers, nuts, fruits and vegetables
Create a positive testing environment with soft music and keep the room low in temperature.
Teach students/scholars that “For success, attitude, is just as important as their education.”
Set realistic expectations - make certain those expectations have small, medium, and long term goals.
Celebrate small and medium expectations.
Build the best culture of success around the testing, instead of a culture of fear of testing.
Avoid the many distractions of technology.
Avoid soda or junk food prior to sleeping and before testing *This will build a healthy habit for life.
I know this was a mouthful and I apologize, but to be consistently productive or a high performer, and to manage stress or anxiety better, we must strengthen our skill in attention management. For those of you that don’t know what I’m referring to please follow the link below! To sum it up - attention management is the experience or practice of controlling distractions, being present in the moment, finding flow, and maximizing focus, so that you can unleash your genius. It’s about being intentional instead of reactive. It is the ability to recognize when your attention is being stolen or spaped from someone or something instead of keep it focused on the activities you have chosen at the time.
I encourage you to review the link and to take mental, emotional, and physical note of the speaker or presenter from Tedtalk.
https://maurathomas.com/empowered-productivity/attention-management/
Sincerely,
Coach Frank Sagsata
Founder & President
Coachingbeyond, Inc
Live Beyond
© Coachingbeyond Inc
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