ITI General Approach
By applying current brain research to schools and classrooms to maximize student achievement and prepare responsible citizens, schools create a “body-brain compatible” learning environment based on eight elements:
- Absence of Threat: Students are free from anxiety about their physical safety and experience a sense of well-being as they learn.
- Meaningful Content: Teachers select topics that address standards and engage students.
- Choices: Students have the opportunity to select assignments that meet individual learning needs.
- Adequate Time: The schedule provides ample and flexible time for thorough exploration.
- Enriched Environment: The school offers an interesting and inviting setting, with emphasis on objects from the real world for students to see and touch.
- Collaboration: Students work together to enhance achievement and build social skills.
- Immediate Feedback: Students receive accurate feedback as they learn, not later.
- Mastery at the Application Level: Students internalize deeply what they learn and apply it to real-world situations.
- Movement to Enhance Learning: Movement activates and focuses body-brain systems for learning.
(from Catalog of School Reform models)