Theme Eye Contact
Indispensable for effective learning
Eye contact is a fundamental social skill that supports learning and co-operation in schools. Through eye contact, children train the necessary brain areas to empathise with others. Prof. Dr Leonhard Schilbach emphasises: “We use eye contact to coordinate the flow of conversation and make sure that the other person is still listening. When you’ve finished speaking, you look at the person you’re talking to, signalling: Now it’s your turn.” We look for clues as to whether they agree with us and clarify early on who is speaking and when without using words.
Theme Movement
Thinking and moving go hand in hand
Classroom disruptions increase from the 4th hour onwards – but not after PE lessons. At the same time, pupils perform better in class after sports lessons (Raviv & Low, 1990). Now, you can’t do sport all day long, but physical activity during breaks supports the ability to concentrate. Periods of exercise during lessons also lead to a significantly better ability to concentrate (Dordel, 2003).
Theme Learning Together
People learn from people
Learning is an autodidactic process that is intensified through interaction with others. And: learning through challenges brings a sense of achievement, and therefore learning itself becomes something positive. These challenges are crucial for brain development, according to Prof. Gerald Hüther: ‘Children need to master as many challenges as possible in their lives in order to develop the most important connections in their brains.’ The learning process is intensified and accelerated by interaction with others, be it teachers or classmates. Observing how others solve problems allows them to copy methods or find their own alternative solutions.
Theme The new role of teachers
Moderation as the key to learning success
Josef Leisen, Professor of Didactics of Physics at the University of Mainz, emphasises the crucial role of moderation in the management of learning processes. Teachers should not only impart knowledge, but also organise and manage learning processes professionally. Effective moderation promotes a deeper engagement with learning content and creates a discursive teaching culture.
