Quantum Learning Blog

Students Start the New School Year with Quantum Learning

admin — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 18:30:00 GMT

A new school year has already begun in many parts of the country. In Tennessee, many students will benefit from the Quantum Learning training their teachers received this summer. Read an article from The Tennessean that discusses how Quantum Learning has become a big part of the curriculum throughout Sumner County.

QLT professional development programs are continuing throughout August in school districts around the country, while many other teachers have benefited from attending one of Quantum Learning's two teacher workshops that took place at the QLN Campus in Oceanside, California, this summer.

QLN Senior Facilitator Shari Murphy Speaks About the QL for Teachers Program in Internet TV Interview

admin — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 22:13:00 GMT

Shari Murphy, Senior Facilitator for Quantum Learning Network, recently sat down with Dr. James Cunneen and Dr. Kenneth Jandes, hosts of InTimeTV's "Hot Topics for Educational Leaders", to share with them her experience with the Quantum Learning for Teachers program and the many benefits it provides. Shari, who began her teaching career with a fourth grade class of disruptive students, found that her undergraduate coursework did not fully prepare her to handle difficult situations and failed to provide her with practical application of the material she was taught. She was first introduced to the Quantum Learning for Teachers program in her early twenties. She found it provided all of the answers she had been looking for and began presenting the teacher workshops internationally at age 23.

In this one-hour interview, Shari explains some of the key components to the program's success, which include the FADE Model, the 8 Keys of Excellence, the Success Model, and the importance of state changes and music, as well as tips to implement these strategies in the classroom.

Mark Reardon Rejoins QLN

admin — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 19:44:00 GMT

Mark Reardon rejoined Quantum Learning Network on August 1, 2008 in the newly-created position of Chief Operating Officer. Mark has enjoyed a long and highly distinguished career in education, including seven years (1989-1996) as Director of Training and Program Development at Quantum Learning Network.

Through experiences as a teacher, trainer, administrator and author Mark’s 23-year journey in education has focused on discovering what really works in teaching and learning. In 1999, Mark co-authored Quantum Teaching – Orchestrating Student Success with QLN president, Bobbi DePorter, and Sarah Singer-Nourie.

Prior to rejoining QLN, Mark became the founding principal of Classical Academy High School in Escondido, California, a school dedicated to partnering with parents in preparing a personalized learning environment for students that encourages competent, life-long learners ready for college, career, and citizenship.

His career also includes administrative, teaching, consulting and entrepreneurial roles in education. Mark is a much sought after educational conference and seminar speaker. Recent conference appearances include the Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development, National Staff Development Council, Career and Technical Education, Association of Christian Schools, International Alliance for Learning, and the Brain Expo.

He also has co-authored the following books: HotTips for Teachers, HotTips for Speakers, HotTips for Facilitators, Strategies for Great Teaching, and Put Me In, Coach!

At QLN, Mark will bring his broad knowledge, boundless energy and spirited enthusiasm for improving the quality of education through discovering what works. Welcome back Mark!

QLT June 2008 Workshop

Margaret — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 15:56:00 GMT

To the amazing educators who participated in the public 5 day QLT training in June, 2008,

Thank you for an awesome five-day training! Your talent, wisdom, and commitment to excellence are truly inspirational! We all grew personally, professionally and made the shift within so our students can make the shift in our classes in the fall! Our very own Helen de la Maza has come up with a great Enrolling question for us! "Do you want to know what could enable us all to support each other as we delve into the QLN system and implement it in our respective educational settings?" Come join us on the QL blog where we can post questions, answers, suggestions, successes, and challenges. This forum will keep us connected and help us support each other. I look forward to hearing from you!

"I like it, I love it, I want some more... woosh!"

p.s. Helen, thank you for your vision and willingness to help us stay connected!

Students Gain Valuable College Skills at Quantum U’s 8-Day College Summer Camp

admin — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 22:25:00 GMT

Is your son or daughter graduating from high school this year and entering college next fall? Or maybe your student already is in college and is struggling with grades or just not focused on preparing for his or her future. College success does not come easily. It requires learning and applying college skills that are different from what students acquire in high school. At Quantum U’s college summer programs, students gain valuable learning and life skills that help prepare them for college success and a successful life after college.

To help your son or daughter achieve the level of college success you all want, enroll them in our eight-day college summer camp. Eight days at Quantum U will help improve your soon-to-be or current college student’s chances of a happy and successful college career by providing the learning and life skills necessary to handle their challenges, manage their independence, and take full advantage of all of the exciting opportunities college has to offer.

Our college prep program will be held this year at the beautiful Colorado College in Colorado Springs. For eight days in July, students eat, sleep, interact, and learn on this beautiful campus in a safe community environment.

For more information on how your son or daughter can benefit from our amazing college summer programs, visit the Quantum U website, call us at 800-285-3276, or email us at info@quantum-u.com.

Senior Forum Kicks Off at Stanford University

admin — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 21:02:00 GMT

Senior Forum, SuperCamp’s academic summer camp for students entering grades 9 through 12 in the fall, begins today at the beautiful Stanford University campus in Palo Alto, California. Students from across the U.S. will spend 10 days focusing on self-discovery, independence, and powerful skills that will help them achieve both academic and personal success in the future.

The academic skills that these teens acquire will work to ease school stress, help raise grades, improve reading comprehension, and increase test scores including standardized tests such as the SAT and ACT. They participate in exciting learning-to-learn courses that challenge them to reach their own conclusions and think at a higher level.

Students also learn valuable life skills which offer methods that encourage them to express themselves, pursue goals, take ownership for their decisions, and align their actions with their values. They discover specific strategies for resolving conflicts and clearing up misunderstandings, develop greater confidence in their abilities, and best of all, learn how to make the best of each moment of their lives.

See Quantum Learning in Action

admin — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 21:42:00 GMT

A 90-second video that shows Quantum Learning for Teachers training in action in Williamson County, Tennessee and contains comments from several teachers and administrators there on the importance and value of Quantum Learning captures the essence of what QL is all about for anyone who isn’t familiar with it. The video was sent out to all teachers, principals and parents in the entire Williamson County school district, which contains 37 schools and almost 30,000 students. Take a minute and a half and watch the video!

College Students Learn Valuable Communication Skills at Quantum U

admin — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 22:53:00 GMT

Quantum U is an 8-day college summer camp that specializes in giving high school graduates and current college students the skills they need to have a successful college career. One important life skill that Quantum U emphasizes is communication.

In an environment of emotional safety, like at home, it is easier for teens to communicate their feelings with others. They can experiment and practice in such an environment because they know it's okay and that they will be accepted.

When students leave home and enter college, they lose that safe environment they’ve been accustomed to for so long. With the uncertainty of new surroundings, new college students often struggle to communicate with the people around them, in fear that they will be rejected or misunderstood.

At Quantum U, team-building activities are weaved in throughout the day. Every morning before breakfast, campers sing special team cheers for the facilitators. Music and rhythm are powerful aids to bonding. When campers learn how great it feels to reach out and connect with others, they automatically begin to think further beyond themselves than they did before.

A few days into camp, when the trust level is high, campers are divided into groups of four and are asked a series of questions about their inner dreams. Team Leaders are very aware of their trust levels, and each question in the series moves a little deeper on the trust gradient. With each answer, students venture a little further out of their comfort zones. After they've spent a few minutes sharing, a Team Leader asks them, "How does it feel to share those dreams with someone?"

Since the process of getting there is gradual, the teens often don't realize until this point how brave they're being. Their reaction is typically, "Wow! I'd never imagined I could do this!" Most of them say it feels great - scary, but great. Yet, just a few days earlier many of them could not have done it at all!

At this point they've spent several days in a place where they're accepted for who they are. They know that if they speak they'll be heard. It still makes them feel vulnerable to tell something so personal to people they just met days before. But it's a lot easier for them to step out of their comfort zones when they know they won't be laughed at, belittled, put down, or judged.

Quantum U is held this summer from July 14 through 21 at Colorado College in Colorado Springs. For more information on enrollment visit the Quantum U website or call 800-285-3276.

Improve Teaching and Increase Passion with QL Teachers Public Workshops

admin — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 21:34:00 GMT

Our first Quantum Learning for Teachers Public Workshop starts on Monday, June 23. If you’re signed up, you can look forward to five days of discovering the best and most effective tools to sharpen your teaching skills as well as ways to bring more fun and passion into your profession.

If you missed out on this one, not to worry; we will hold a second 5-day workshop from July 21 through 25 at our QLN Campus in Oceanside, California. Space is still available for the second session, however early registration is recommended to ensure your spot.

Our QLT Public Workshops are open to all educators, including K-12 teachers, Administrators, Special Ed instructors, and Counselors. Watch our brief video in which our facilitators and other teachers talk about the value of attending a QLT Public Workshop.

For more information on our programs and special discounts available, or to enroll, visit our teacher workshops webpage or call 800-285-3276, ext. 115.

Students Learn How to Learn at SuperCamp

admin — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 23:35:00 GMT

At SuperCamp’s summer programs, students learn to apply themselves to learning and develop a new interest in school. “SuperCamp,” said one mother from Del Mar, California, “changed my daughter from getting below average grades to honor roll in one semester. She can apply herself much more easily and is far more confident.”

Result of a recent study involving over 6,000 SuperCamp graduates ages 12 to 22 show that 81 percent of the graduates felt more confident and 98 percent continued to use the skills they had learned at camp.

What’s the formula behind SuperCamp’s success? It may be the educational philosophy of co-founder Bobbi DePorter. Heeding a call from parents, she created a program that fills a gap left by traditional education. At SuperCamp, students learn to expand beliefs and accept that they can learn anything quickly and successfully.

They discover that what one student can do, so can the other, if the tools are given to succeed. Students are taught that limits can be broken and are given the tools and the experiences to do it. With a new set of beliefs, self-confidence and motivation increase dramatically, say the co-founders.

A proper physical environment is also important to better learning. SuperCamp uses one that stimulates the senses with the sights, sounds, and touch of success.

An important part of SuperCamp’s philosophy is that students are taught how to learn, not what to learn. Students gain knowledge of specific tools that can be applied to any school subject, including foreign languages. Courses include test preparation, writing, reading comprehension, communication, and memory.

SuperCamp’s academic summer camps will be held in 8 to 10-day sessions throughout the summer at eight college campus locations across the country. For more information on enrolling your student, visit the SuperCamp website or call 800-285-3276.

SuperCamp Reminds Students That Learning Is Fun

admin — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 22:44:00 GMT

The summer programs that SuperCamp offers restore something that every teenager knew ten or twelve years ago when they were small children, but might have forgotten along the way. Learning is fun! We make sure fun is in the mix for everything we do, but especially in learning.

When young people step outside their comfort zones - into what we call the Learning Zone - it may be scary, frustrating, uncomfortable, embarrassing, and challenging. But it's never boring.

"Boredom," the facilitators say, "is a sign that learning is not taking place."

When students nurture a "bring it on!" attitude about their schoolwork, just the fact that the work is difficult and challenging is enough to make it fun. The fun comes from the thrill of overcoming something challenging and achieving something worthwhile. This is the attitude of a lifetime learner.

If you're bored you're not learning. If you're learning you're having fun. Fun is the necessary first ingredient in learning. It's where you get the motivation to charge into education with boldness and enthusiasm, which in turn opens the door to confidence and the development of learning and life skills.

One program grad told us, "I learned that when you're confident and know what tools to use, you'll win the game of school and life."

There are several different SuperCamp programs that cater specifically to the needs of different age groups: Youth Forum for children entering grades 4 and 5 in the fall, Junior Forum for students going into grades 6 through 8, Senior Forum for 9^th through 12^th graders, and Quantum U, a college summer camp specially-designed for college-bound students.

SuperCamp even has a summer camp for parents called Parent Weekend, where parents of kids enrolled in SuperCamp can learn some of what their kids are discovering at camp, which enables parents to better support their children throughout the school year.

More information is available at the SuperCamp website or by calling 800-285-3276.

Quantum Learning Is For All Ages

admin — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 21:49:00 GMT

Quantum Learning’s body of learning methods and philosophies has proven to be effective for students of all ages. We implement Quantum Learning for Students school programs for students in elementary, middle and high school. At SuperCamp we even have an eight-day program for students entering college, called Quantum U.

Our youth summer camps, Youth Forum, are available to boys and girls entering grades 4 or 5 in the upcoming fall. We believe it’s not too early to build a framework for success for children who are 9 or 10 years old. That’s why, at Youth Forum, we introduce values we call the Seven Rings of Success. In the same spirit as our Eight Keys of Excellence, the Seven Rings of Excellence give the campers guidance in such areas as being themselves, friendship, going for it, taking responsibility, how failure leads to success, giving and the importance of family.

If you know of families with children currently in grades 3 or 4, tell them about Youth Forum. This summer Youth Forum is at Cal State San Marcos in San Diego. The seven-day program takes place from July 11 through July 17. People can learn more at our summer camps website or by calling 800-285-3276.

Summer Teacher Public Workshops

admin — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 21:55:00 GMT

Summer’s almost here, meaning it’s time for a break from school, it’s a chance for students to attend one of SuperCamp’s great summer camps and it’s an opportunity for teachers to take their skills to the next level.

One of the best and most fun ways for teachers to sharpen their skills and put more fun and passion into the profession is by attending Quantum Learning Education’s teacher workshops at the QLN Campus in Oceanside, California. We have two five-day QLT workshops scheduled: June 23-27 and July 21-25. Space is still available, but you should register soon.

Watch our brief video in which our facilitators and other teachers talk about the value of attending a QLT Public Workshop.

To enroll, visit our QL for Teachers page at QLN.com or call 800-285-3276, ext. 115.

A Message to Kids and Parents

admin — Thu, 29 May 2008 15:27:00 GMT

by Karen Borbolla

Karen Borbolla is a lead facilitator with SuperCamp academic summer camps. She earned her teacher certification in K-12 art education along with her Bachelor of Fine Arts. She also has earned her Master's Degree in Educational Leadership. Most recently, Karen earned a postgraduate certification in brain-based education. She is married, mother of three young children and teaches elementary art by day and college level Para educator curriculum and theory classes by night. This is what she wants to share with kids and with parents of kids who have not yet experienced SuperCamp’s pre-teen and teen summer camps.

Dear Kids,

I know you totally value your brand new clothes from Abercrombie yet when they are living on the floor instead of in a closet then a person is out of INTEGRITY. One goal in life is to be IN INTEGRITY. When a person has stated beliefs and values, and when they understand them, then the behavior of that person reflects it. If a person values something they take care of it.

I know you want pop right now but it was finished at breakfast. We’ve talked about this being your go to meal. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes but take a moment to think about it and learn from it. A failure is nothing more than an opportunity for growth! Skip the pop at breakfast and then you’ll have it after school for A FAILURE THAT LED TO SUCCESS!

I understand you were really irritated with the grade you earned on your test. I know you heard those words from the rented movie. Yet, the words that come out of your mouth are your choice. When you choose words with good intent to others and yourself then you are SPEAKING WITH GOOD PURPOSE.

I am hearing that you are mortified after your audition for the show. You are the one that got up there and tried, you are the one who loves to sing, keep on focusing on your goals and make every moment count. Accept your life in good and challenging times…make it THIS IS IT!

I’ve noticed you’ve been eating randomly as you juggle everything you do. You’ve shown your COMMITMENT to these activities by having a clear vision and staying true to it. You do what you have to do to get the job done. People count on you. You can count on me too! I am going to take time off from my scrap booking class to make more meals …ready for you when you get home.

I really appreciate how you have helped out around the house. It has made things easier on me. I can count on you. You take responsibility. You see what needs to be done and you do it. Thank you for showing OWNERSHIP!

I know you stay up all night to study, yet earn low grades. Something isn’t working here. How about studying for an hour each night for several days before the test? When a person changes strategies in order to achieve their goal, then they are using FLEXIBILITY. When something isn’t working, try it another way and if you need help…ask for it!

I know you have been going out with your friends and doing what they like to do. I know that your grades are great and you work hard to earn them. How about taking time just for you? When was the last time you went running? What is important to you? What do you need to do now and what can be scheduled later? When it all gels then you’ve created BALANCE.

Dear Parents,

Where can you send your child to re-establish all of those great qualities you once instilled in them, when they were oh so very young? Respect, motivation, kindness, inner peace, goals of individual and personal best…these traits were once commonly used and now you wonder…what has happened to my kid? Where can you have your son or daughter see true goodness in other people and most importantly, in themselves? The answer you have been searching for is SuperCamp, through the Quantum Learning Network.

SuperCamp is a 10-day academic and life skill program, which will allow your child the opportunity to learn about themselves on so many different levels. Through the carefully structured facilitation of experiences at SuperCamp, techniques and concepts will be explored which will make learning easy and fun. Through the ongoing support of the professional staff and of their peers, small and large group learning will take place in a meticulously orchestrated environment. Your child will learn how to learn. They will discover how to successfully interact with other people. They will experience the process of setting personal goals and the thrill of accomplishment when that goal is achieved.

The creators of SuperCamp and the entire professional staff that carries on their mission truly believe and live by the vision of SuperCamp. SuperCamp is an international model of excellence, facilitating a shift in learning, resulting in creative, educated, responsible people, participating in the global community.

SuperCamp will most certainly create a lasting impact. After attending a SuperCamp program, the potential for individual success with school, college, professional and adult life will be in their hands. SuperCamp prides itself on creating environments and resources for lifelong learning and personal success. Upon graduation from a SuperCamp program your child will have had the opportunity to gain the tools and resources, which when applied, will allow them ultimate success.

More information on SuperCamp’s summer camp programs can be found at the SuperCamp website. Camps are almost full for this summer, but some spaces remain in most locations.

Valuable Input from our QL Facilitators

admin — Tue, 27 May 2008 22:44:00 GMT

QLN is fortunate to have so many great facilitators within both Quantum Learning Education and SuperCamp. Periodically, this blog will feature their contributions, thoughts and insights regarding Quantum Learning and the learning and life skills they provide students, their parents and educators.

At this time of year, our SuperCamp facilitators have been through many hours of training in preparation for our 2008 summer camp programs and still have more training prior to the opening of our first camps in late June. While they come from several professions, the great majority are teachers. These individuals devote a significant portion of their summers to leading SuperCamp programs throughout the U.S.

Our Quantum Learning facilitators are equally committed to making great kids greater by training them directly in Quantum Learning for Students programs and by training educators in Quantum Learning for Teachers and Quantum Learning for Administrators programs. Now, with the introduction of Quantum Learning for Parents, our facilitators can help parents contribute even more to the growth, happiness and success of their children.

So, check back regularly at our blog and when you see a post from one of our facilitators, please know that you are getting valuable and timely input from the front lines of the education world.