Psychology One Conference
Teaching Expo:
"Cognitive Calisthenics" - Pre-Lecture Cognitive Warm-up Boosts Performance in an Introductory Psychology Class
Holly White
Brief Description:
Cognitive Calisthenics is a brief mental warm up that primes students for lecture learning, similar to the way that stretching exercises prepare the body for a physical workout. Immediately before lecture, students complete five minutes of structured visual search/target cancellation tasks in a booklet with auditory and visual cues delivered via PowerPoint. In previous studies, the program has shown potential to boost exam scores and improve students’ subjective perception of focus, comprehension, and note-taking ability. In the context of an Introductory Psychology course, Cognitive Calisthenics also works as an example of applied research in cognitive and educational psychology.
Cognitive Calisthenics is a brief mental warm up that primes students for lecture learning, similar to the way that stretching exercises prepare the body for a physical workout. Immediately before lecture, students complete five minutes of structured visual search/target cancellation tasks in a booklet with auditory and visual cues delivered via PowerPoint. In previous studies, the program has shown potential to boost exam scores and improve students’ subjective perception of focus, comprehension, and note-taking ability. In the context of an Introductory Psychology course, Cognitive Calisthenics also works as an example of applied research in cognitive and educational psychology.
Speaker Bio:
Holly White is an Assistant Research Scientist in the Psychology Department at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. She received her Ph.D. in cognitive psychology from the University of Memphis in 2005. Dr. White’s research interests include creative cognition, divergent “outside the box” thinking, attention, and cognitive exercise. She is currently working on a large IES-funded study of motivational and cognitive interventions for children with ADHD. Dr. White developed the Cognitive Calisthenics program, while serving as Dir. of Academic Success Programs and Research at Eckerd College, in collaboration with Dr. Lauren Highfill, a professor of psychology at Eckerd College. In her current position, Dr. White enjoys collaborating with students and colleagues on a number of research projects. She and her senior dog, Abby, work and play in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
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Holly White is an Assistant Research Scientist in the Psychology Department at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. She received her Ph.D. in cognitive psychology from the University of Memphis in 2005. Dr. White’s research interests include creative cognition, divergent “outside the box” thinking, attention, and cognitive exercise. She is currently working on a large IES-funded study of motivational and cognitive interventions for children with ADHD. Dr. White developed the Cognitive Calisthenics program, while serving as Dir. of Academic Success Programs and Research at Eckerd College, in collaboration with Dr. Lauren Highfill, a professor of psychology at Eckerd College. In her current position, Dr. White enjoys collaborating with students and colleagues on a number of research projects. She and her senior dog, Abby, work and play in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
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