Response to Specific Interactive Intervention
Jan Kuyper Erland
5/3/2011 9:20:50 AM
Thank you for publishing/reporting updates on this important topic. As a former classroom teacher, parent, and Special Education professional, I found early on that memory was an important part of sensory integration and learning. Not finding an adequate methodology to accelerate learning disabled to gifted, and even the slow learner, in 1981, I created an interactive media program called "The Bridge To Achievement". Following twenty years of repeated trials at 13 national Test sites, with ages 9 to adult and with various demographic groups, I published continuing research with The Journal Of Accelerated Learning and Teaching. The methodology revealed positive changes in academic achievement, particularly in reading, math, and language. Five longitudinal reports ensued. This research can be found on my website: http://www.memspan.com/publications3.html
Abrupt perceptual changes in handwriting samples were evident in pre-to-post cognitive skills tests. Handwriting samples following the consecutive 24-hour training were published in October 2010 by the SPEDADVISOR.com and I won a citation for being a "most viewed article". It is available on my website: http://www.memspan.com/handwritingk.pdf
In June 2001, The International Alliance of Learning reported my work as a landmark study of students' outstanding academic achievement gains using media, creativity, and Accelerated Learning. Thank you again for encouraging all education scientists to pursue brain research as applied to academic learning.
Re-training the Brain in Memory
Donesa Walker
5/1/2011 4:12:49 PM
Memory is complex and is activated as discussed when multiple senses are used and the activity is frequent or emotional. Everyday I experience this watching men who have lost memories due to TBI begin to re-engage the memory process and emerge to a new adventure of writing new memories. Students who struggle with reading and focus due to long-term/short-term memory issue begin to succeed in the classroom because the intervention of intensive exercises in our centers awakens this "recording" process of memory.
It is astounding and so rewarding that the brain imaging is showing what we see and experience everyday. Even now, the National Science Foundation has partnered with the University of Virginia to study what we do at LearningRx because of this phenomonal change. Changing lives one at a time. We are seeing progress in schools with the students that we work with there, too. Tools are out there and available, we just have to get the academic world to see and understand this research and its impact. Thank you for continuing to report this amazing research and data.