Cultivating Practical Optimism

Assignment Title:  Week 6 Blog 2

Cultivating Practical Optimism:  A Key to Getting the Best from Your Brain

Donna Wilson, PhD – November 25, 2014

This article illustrates how a student can get more from his brains by becoming more optimistic about life.  According to the author, “Neuroscientist recently discovered that optimism is associated with brain pathways connecting the left prefrontal region to the amygdala.” The author further states how optimism is considered to be an unchangeable trait and that it is mainly a way of thinking that can be learned as well as enhanced.  It is found that positive attitudes or viewpoints have less stress.

According to Wilson, “…as students become more optimistic, they are motivated to progress through learning difficulties and to attain higher levels of achievement.” Also, the more optimistic students are greater is their resistance to depression and negative effects of stress, according to Wilson.  As cited by Wilson, “The mantra “I think I can! I think I can!” from an all-time favorite story, The Little Engine That Could, illustrates practical optimistic thinking.”

Wilson and Conyers offer the following steps that can be used to aid in developing a positive classroom:

1.     Ask student if they are willing to learn to be more optimistic.

2.     Have students read aloud the story Treasure Hunters and Trash Collectors.

3.     Have students think of five things they actually like or feel good about.

4.     Have students create a concept map about these 5 things.

5.     Have student share these five things with five other people.

6.     Keep repeating this process and keep adding to their list.

According to Wilson, “Once learners understand that they have the capacity to increase their levels of practical optimism by the choices they make, many are highly motivated to do so.”

http://www.edutopia.org//blog/cultivating-practical-optimism-donna-wilson