Games, Brain, And Crushing School
By Oskar Cymerman | @focus2achieve | BAM! Radio Network & Teaching Channel Blogger
A little over a year ago, I was sitting on the couch late at night playing online poker. I love Texas Hold’em. I’m good at it. So good in fact, that in a few short months, I won 170,000,000 in fake chips starting at a mere 800.
How did I do it?
I played, learned, and played some more. I played a lot. I collected more and more fake chips; an undeniable proof of my learning and skill. As I learned to play, I also learned to anticipate events by reflecting on how some hands went down. Then, I applied what I learned in the future hands.
In some cases, I knew I was doing it. In many, I had not a clue.
School is the same way. To get good at school, you have to learn, practice, and apply what you learn. You have to do it a lot too. To get really good at it, you must reflect and become aware of how you learn. And to be an absolute learning machine? Understand how your brain works and use it to that end.
My poker addiction did not lead to a fortune. But the game taught me something. I know now that if I learn to use my brain the right way, I can learn anything I want. And so can you. And so can your students. So I stopped playing Hold'em poker and wrote this book instead.
We love playing games. Video, board, sports, and mental, kids LOVE playing games. And, someone a lot smarter than me thought about using games in learning. It became known as "Gamification of Education."
And while my book is not about playing games, writing it helped me understand why gamification works. It has to do with our brain.
Now... That's something I know a lot about! And that's what "Crush School" is all about: LEVERAGING THE BRAIN TO LEARN.
It's a crash course in the neuroscience of learning. Teaching students to do it. Giving teachers a tool to teach it.
The book truly answers the age old question: Why Do I Have to Learn This?
The book helps learners Learn This, whatever This is.
"Crush School" is written in conversational language. It is meant for Middle School, High School, and College Students. It explains the brain science of learning in a humorous, sassy, and easy to understand way. No long tirades or lectures telling students to do something "Because I Said So!" It provides game-changing learning strategies and reasons for WHY THEY WORK without putting anyone to sleep.
In fact, the book is SHORT. All of the information is contained on 60 pages.
And, it has graphics that help USERS make stronger connections to the information.
Here's a little preview:
I said USERS for a reason. "Crush School" isn't a book in the traditional sense. IT'S A GUIDE TO LEARNING ANYTHING. As such, it is designed not to be merely read, but to be used. Chapter 1 describes how. Check it out:
The book is NOW AVAILABLE on Amazon Kindle for $9.99. USE IT AT YOUR OWN RISK.
Remember That You Have The Power. Use It Often.