What Makes Advanced Cognitive Training Unique?

We seem to be looking for solutions to a failed education system by adding all kinds of technology to the classroom learning environment. We live and think in this mindset allowing new technology to change and improve the low scores of American students on international testing in science, math and other subjects.

The Advanced Cognitive Training Program is based on recent research in the neurosciences that identifies a very powerful info-processing brain mechanism that decides how we elevate our understanding of what & when we process information.

It involves making a deliberate effort to identify/ recognize new patterns that were not previously obvious. Some of our great scientists and innovators were able to:

• Challenge the existing thinking
• Seek out and recognize new insights and ideas that could change their perceptions
• Develop new perspectives and discoveries.

It is based on Current research which shows that we can in fact raise student cognitive functioning. This is achieved by using concepts and methods drawn from established, successful international programs. These programs focus on learning new skills and abilities that allow students to activate the "pattern recognition skill" to produce new insights and ideas during the learning process.

How does this Mental Development Help?

This mental experience is very powerful because once students realize that their minds have the power to operate as creative "idea generators", they feel empowered to pursue this new perception.

Students need higher level cognitive processing skills and abilities in the future according to a recent Harvard study. This study identifies creative and critical abilities/skills to gain success in the global market place.

Students also lack the thinking skills that allow them to figure things out and solve problems during and after their school years.

How Mindsight Thinking Operates in a Classroom

Mindsight was conceived as a conceptual system to raise our operating intelligence beyond the fixed notions that limits our mental potential and keep us in the same routine of thinking.

Mindsight discussed this problem and proposes a design system of thinking that involves a series of skills and strategies to improve the quality of our thinking as identified in the CORT Thinking Skills program developed by Dr. Edward de Bono. Furthermore, it offers a unique methodology of communication to supplement language through the use of graphic representations that transcend and transform our understanding of information.

Key Goals and Concepts in Mindsight Thinking

Gathering information - the goal in this learning phase is having students use specific thinking (AF, APC) skills to increase their perceptual understanding of the content in the lesson by raising questions regarding other factors that may not be obvious to the students. Each class is organized in different groups. They discuss what the teacher presents as an idea or information. Then the teacher writes on the board "Let's consider all the factors that may not be obvious at first." "Write down in your group what factors that are often not considered."

Challenging the Information (PMI AGO) presented in order to better articulate what was discussed in order to verify if this information is relevant to the learning under consideration or to confirm that additional information is necessary by the students and by the teacher considering the aim of the lesson. "What is the important new information that is relevant and what is not.

Harvesting the new informatfon (OPV FIP) using additional questioning by seeking qualifying ideas that are relevant and meaningful with respect to the content presented and discussed. This phase allows the teacher and the students to articulate and identify the best information presented by everyone. "What kinds of conclusions can we make as a result of our discussion that our information gathered can support?"