Emotions and Learning

After reading Chapter 3 of Zadina's book this week, I started thinking about how seriously negative emotions can affect the learning process. When I think of the times that I have been incredibly stressed out or anxious about a situation, all I can remember is constantly thinking of those negative feelings. They took over my mind and my thoughts, I couldn't concentrate on anything but trying to change the situation so I could feel less anxious or stressed. So when students feel anxious, stressed, threatened, or scared, I can totally understand why they can't focus their attention on learning. As stated by Zadina, "The effect we most often think about in regard to learning is that strong negative emotions impair thinking and, therefore, learning in general" (2014). Ultimately, students who are experiencing strong negative emotions are not engaging in their full learning potential. Most of their thought processes are being devoted to those negative emotions.

The Science of Positive Thinking
I found this really interesting article written by James Clear that discusses the benefits of positive emotions and positive thinking. Barbara Fredrickson, a leading researcher in the field of positive thinking, believes that positive emotions "broaden your sense of possibilities and open your mind, which in turn allows you to build new skills and resources that can provide value in other areas of your life" ( Clear, 2013). Unlike the narrow thought process that takes over your brain when you experience strong negative emotions, positive thoughts can help your brain see more possibilities than normal. This can ultimately lead to building new skills for success.

I think that creating an atmosphere in which my students feel safe is a top priority. I don't want my students to feel overly stressed or anxious in my classroom. I want everyone to be able to openly discuss ideas and possibilities without feeling intimidated and unsafe. I think that creating a safe space in which my students can share their thoughts will ultimately broaden their understanding and strengthen the connections that they form with the material.