2. What do we know about how violence affects learning?

Everyone writes freely for five minutes about whatever comes to mind about how they think or know violence affects learning. If nothing comes to mind, have them write any questions they have. After writing, participants choose one sentence from their writing and copy it onto a piece of paper with felt pens. Tape these papers up at the front of the room. Discuss. Ask if there is anything surprising in what is posted.

In a frightened state, children use the part of the brain associated with fight or flight, not the part where they can grow, create and blossom.

Those in a violent atmosphere learn to shut off and tune out and thus are not open to learning. Violence causes emotional upheaval and/or physical pain which distracts and shuts down cognitive processes required for learning!

Violence affects self-esteem and this is linked to a student's belief in [his or her] abilities.

Stress—mental depression and physical ailments

Developed feelings of not caring

Lack of trust

Fear of making mistakes

Reflection

Starting with a writing activity immediately involved everyone in the room with a common purpose. Best of all, it gave me a chance to observe participants individually and judge the feeling in the room. At the Edmonton workshop I didn’t know one other person in the room, so I particularly liked the writing at the beginning to gauge the mood and receptiveness of people.

The writing also introduced the workshop as a communication activity, where opinions are valued and respected. Participants in both workshops seemed to have a wonderful understanding of issues around violence. The examples of responses [above] show the range of ideas that were shared about how violence affects learning.