We Act, Therefore We Think: Learning Through Embodied Cognition

Audience: Primary Years Programme
Audience: Middle Years Programme
Audience: Diploma Programme
Audience: Research
Audience: General Interest
Session: Block 5: Saturday 2:00 to 3:15, Room: Pacific H

As students become increasingly sedentary and learning disorders increase, it is important to understand the link between movement and brain function. This interactive presentation will explore the concept of embodied cognition as it relates to new categories of educational tools, and actively engage the participants to experience how and why these tools work. Utilizing case studies from an international sample of classrooms, the presenters will highlight the research, results, and future of this burgeoning field. They will also provide a template of best practices to help educators effectively integrate embodied cognition tools and techniques.


Roberta Scherf, President, Thinking Moves

Beginning with her studies at Carleton College and continuing at the University of Minnesota, Roberta Scherf has spent years exploring the idea of brain plasticity. She founded a successful intergenerational community program praised by the Utne Reader and was awarded a leadership grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. When her daughter Rowan was born with significant learning disabilities, Ms Scherf completed extensive research on embodied cognition and the power of music and movement. Rowan did not speak until the age of three; twelve years later she is in her third year of honors Japanese at the high school level. Ms Scherf currently serves as President of Thinking Moves.

Chris Bye, Chief Operating Officer, Thinking Moves

Chris Bye is a graduate of Gustavus Adolphus College and has a M.B.A. in marketing from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. While at Madison, he did doctoral work in the field of entrepreneurship and strategy. His passion is to help individuals create business opportunities that best express their personal values. He spent the past three years developing SmartMoves and is devoted to studying the brain and new ways to maximize its potential. He lives in Hudson, Wisconsin and enjoys playing hockey, canoeing in the Canadian wilderness, fly-fishing, and English setters.
Also see fablevision.com


Organization website: http://thinkingmoves.com

Carol Donahue, Director, Learning Solutions, FableVision

Two major threads, technology and learning, weave through Carol Donahue's career tapestry. She has taught in a variety of settings in the US and abroad. Although she is certified as both a History and ELL teacher, much of her career has been in the corporate world with large, global organizations. Ms Donahue took a year-long leave of absence in and joined the Jesuit Volunteer Corps in Seattle, WA. Her graduate school research included topics such as Creativity as a Healing Agent. She is licensed as a K-8 school counselor and is a graduate of the Cabrini Pastoral Ministry program in Seattle, WA.