"Sit and Get" Won't Grow Dendrites: 20 Professional Learning Strategies That Engage the Adult Brain (Paperback)

by Marcia L. Tate (Author) "How many staff development workshops or college courses have you taken in which you sat in silence for the majority of the time while the..." (more)
Key Phrases: professional learning activities, professional learning strategies, professional learning experience, Activity Objective, Peer Coaching, National Staff Development Council (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"Marcia brings the same enthusiasm she has for working with adults to writing for adults. This is a book all novice trainers could benefit from, study, and keep accessible in their tool chest. -- Review

Review
"Marcia brings the same enthusiasm she has for working with adults to writing for adults. This is a book all trainers could benefit from, study, and keep accessible in their tool chest." (Stephanie Hirsh, Executive Director )

"'Sit and Get' Won't Grow Dendrites is THE must-have staff development text of 2005 for all education professionals. This text doesn't lecture on what to teach. Rather, it offers a plethora of methods to help adults learn. This is the ultimate 'how to teach how to teach' resource." (Journal of Staff Development, Summer 2005 )

"This easy-to-use book addresses adult learning in funny, creative, and engaging ways. If you're looking to transform your faculty meetings or professional development, this text could be your recipe for success."

(Principal Magazine, May/June 2006 )

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Product Details

• Paperback: 168 pages
• Publisher: Corwin Press; 1 edition (July 15, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0761931546
• ISBN-13: 978-0761931546
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 6.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #73,033 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Marcia Tate practices what she preaches!, October 7, 2005

By	Cozy books, cats and tea - See all my reviews

The reason I bought this book, and all her others, is because I was lucky enough to be in her 2-day seminar. She DOES practice what she preaches! In her book, she uses 20 research-based, brain-compatible strategies to motivate and engage learners, enabling them to reach higher test scores. During her seminar, she used these same 20 strategies with us and they worked! We actively listened and learned, because she didn't expect us to "sit and get". We were moving, talking, playing games, writing, drawing, etc...using those 20 brain-friendly strategies. I am now using these 20 strategies in my classroom. My math class all tested 100% on their first unit tests! I will use Marcia Tates books and strategies forever!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Brain-compatible and Adaptable, September 17, 2007

By	Marcialyn J. Carter (Arroyo Grande, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Adult learning theory is handily referenced in this neat little book, and it's those references that are just as valuable as the advice Tate offers for the newer professional staff developer (or anyone who teaches adults). The interested reader can follow the research to explore the subjects more thoroughly.

The theoretical framework pages are useful support for Tate's activities. Though some of the material and suggestions are a bit simplistic for the adult audience("...participants work together to create a song that shows what they have learned."), the majority of ideas can be easily altered to suit any level of inquiry required. It's a quick read, which is also helpful to time-strapped professional developers, and it explores the newest brain-compatible strategies as it inspires creative adaptation. I would recommend this resource as part of a working library, especially for newer staff developers.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Sit and Get" Won't Grow Dendrites, August 30, 2007

By	Gary W. Ammerman "Teacher Man" (Florida) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Just like her other books, Dr. Marcia Tate takes her brain-compatible strategies and applies them to the adult learner. Often times adults are no more than big children and her techniques help to utilize instructional strategies to 'teach' the adult learner. Her ideas are great for professionals who provide professional development for the adult learner.