Chaos in the Classroom

by Davis, Elizabeth Jane; Smith, Thomas J.; Leflore, Dorothy

• ISBN13: 9781594604072
• ISBN10: 159460407X
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2007-11-01
• Publisher: Carolina Academic Press

Summary

This book combines cognitive learning theory, constructivist learning theory, brain-based learning theory with chaos theory to create an entirely new theory of learning. It shows how the four theories share mutual principles that explain many of the gaps in our understanding of the learning process. The authors take the reader through each of the theories and explain their overlapping principles. Using examples from actual classrooms from elementary school to graduate school, they show how an understanding of the new learning theory helps create the conditions necessary for critical thinking and deep understanding of content. The last chapter is a play-by-play set of instructions for creating chaos in your own classroom.

Author Biography

Elizabeth Jane Davis is an associate professor of education at North Carolina A&T State University. Thomas J. Smith is an assistant professor of education at North Carolina A&T University. Dorothy Leflore is the chair of the department of curriculum and instruction in the school of education at North Carolina A&T University.

Table of Contents

Introduction
The Nonlinear Dynamic Theory of Learning	p. 3
A New Theory	p. 3
Why Do We Need a New Theory of Learning?	p. 4
Beginning with Critical Thinking for Every Child	p. 5
Chaos Theory As a Window to the Learning Process	p. 7
Sensitive Dependence on Initial Conditions	p. 8
Iteration	p. 10
Self-Similarity (Fractals), Catastrophe Shelves, Density and Strange Attractors	p. 13
Summary	p. 18
Brain-Based Teaching Theory	p. 21
Each Brain Is Unique	p. 21
Brains Are Globally Stable but Locally Flexible, Incredibly Complex, Are Uniquely Shaped by Experiences, and Maintain Their Ability to Restructure Themselves throughout Life	p. 23
Emotions Are Critical to the Restructuring Process	p. 25
Brains Act to Create Meaning through a Process of Compare/Contrast and Patterning	p. 27
Brains Create Meaning within Contexts	p. 29
Summary	p. 31
Finding the Strange Attractor	p. 33
The Structure Underlying Chaos	p. 33
Graphing the Strange Attractor	p. 34
The Didactic Lesson	p. 37
A Random Discussion	p. 42
Summary	p. 47
Headfirst and on Purpose	p. 49
Over the Catastrophe Shelf	p. 49
The First Class	p. 50
The Second Class	p. 52
The Third Class	p. 56
Headfirst and on Purpose	p. 65
Summary	p. 71
Creating Chaos and Loving It	p. 73
Implications for Teachers	p. 73
Chaos Theory As a Window to the Learning Process	p. 74
What Is a Catastrophe Shelf and How Do We Get Students on One?	p. 78
Summary	p. 88
References	p. 89
Index	p. 91
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