4 Chapter 4 – Acting on Your Own
Autonomy, connections/relatedness, and competence. Decci
- What does my instructor value most? Your humanity comes first. I care that your basic human needs are met. I will be your advocate for having enough food, shelter, medical care, etc. Please ask.
- You belong at CSI. Don’t let anyone tell you different.
- What else does my instructor value? Autonomy, relatedness, and competence
- I work hard and well when I’m doing my thing, for my people, and with some skill. How about you?
Oh, and passion (or something akin to it… like curiosity or problem-solving) is a great motivator, but don’t worry if you haven’t found a passion. Curiosity is a great place to start.
At the moment you discover what your project is and when you see even some basic ways to get started, leave this book behind and go do that work. Come back here if needed, but a major point of this book is for you to steer your own boat in the wild, wild seas of education and life.
SIDEBAR: Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker, PhD
Why We Sleep: The Importance of Sleep for Learning and Education
In his book, Why We Sleep, Matthew Walker, a leading sleep scientist, argues for a fundamental reevaluation of sleep’s role in human health and well-being. This chapter focuses on the specific aspects of Walker’s work relevant to the field of education and learning.
Sleep and Memory Consolidation
Walker emphasizes the crucial role of sleep in memory consolidation. During sleep, particularly slow-wave sleep, the brain strengthens newly acquired memories by transferring them from short-term storage in the hippocampus to long-term storage in the neocortex. Sleep deprivation disrupts this process, hindering the ability to learn and retain new information. Walker cites studies where sleep-deprived participants exhibited significantly poorer performance on memory tasks compared to well-rested individuals.
Sleep and Cognitive Function
Sleep deprivation negatively impacts various cognitive functions essential for learning. These include:
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Attention: Sleep deprivation impairs the ability to focus and maintain sustained attention, making it difficult to concentrate on educational material.
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Problem-Solving: Sleep is necessary for creative problem-solving and critical thinking. Sleep deprivation diminishes cognitive flexibility and hinders the ability to approach problems from different angles.
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Decision-Making: Sleep-deprived individuals exhibit poorer decision-making skills, potentially leading to impulsive behavior and a decreased ability to make sound judgments during learning activities.
Sleep and Emotional Regulation
Walker highlights the link between sleep and emotional regulation. Sleep deprivation disrupts emotional control, leading to increased frustration, irritability, and difficulty managing stress. This can hinder a student’s ability to learn and participate effectively in the classroom environment.
The Adolescent Sleep Deprivation Epidemic
Walker identifies a critical issue in education: the chronic sleep deprivation prevalent among adolescents. With later school start times and the allure of technology, teenagers are often sleep-deprived, putting them at a significant disadvantage in the learning process.
Recommendations for Educational Settings
Walker emphasizes the need for a cultural shift within education to prioritize sleep. Here are some potential solutions:
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Later School Start Times: Studies have shown that delaying school start times allows adolescents to obtain more sleep, leading to improved academic performance, mood, and overall well-being.
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Sleep Education: Integrating sleep hygiene education into the curriculum can empower students to understand the importance of sleep and develop healthy sleep habits.
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Technology Curfews: Encouraging students to establish technology limitations before bedtime can create a more sleep-conducive environment.
By recognizing the vital role of sleep in learning and implementing strategies to promote healthy sleep habits, educators can create a more supportive and successful learning environment for all students.
Please note: This chapter provides a brief overview. Walker’s book, Why We Sleep, offers a comprehensive exploration of sleep science with extensive research and practical applications.
