Minna Huotilainen, Associate Professor of Cognitive Science and Brain Research, is excited that LeaDo combines the results of many important recent researches applied to everyday innovation
As a brain researcher, my goal is to be able to utilize the knowledge that brain research produces in education, teaching, education and early childhood education in Finland. I am excited about the new research results that show to increase the student’s own learning activity. I have already since the 1990s studied the use of music learning aid: music as a hobby to develop the brain, the music fits in some learning situations, learning, adding background music, and music is also suitable as a method for learning intertwined, say, science classes. Pupil’s own activity is also reflected in physical activity: physical activity in general promotes learning, and on the other hand, physical activity can enhance learning through physical activity.
The researcher’s nightmare is this: We find great research results (“physical activity develops the brain and promotes learning”), we share the findings in public, and then we are asked how to apply this in school everyday life. “I don’t know, ask the education developers,” is the only answer I can give. I studied learning and the brain, and I am thrilled that we are able to make the research even in schools, but our work is specific to the research, not the development of teaching methods. Therefore, it is great to be a researcher specifically in Finland, where not only education but also the development of teaching is at its peak here. We have a large number of enthusiastic teaching professionals who are constantly developing and testing new ways of using scientific research knowledge in ordinary schools, in ordinary learning situations
LeaDo is a great example of such development work. It combines the results of many important recent researches applied to everyday innovation. It helps to differentiate teaching, supports the direction of the pupil’s own learning, is a practical solution to support the pupil’s physical activity, teaches pupils to control their alertness, and enables the pupil to utilize their own curiosity in learning. Having said that, this is the most modern learning in practice. I’d like a LeaDo myself!
Minna Huotilainen
docent in cognitive science, brain researcher
