CEA Summary
As I live in the Information Age, it is vital that I learn how to learn. It is no longer possible for my teachers, family, and community to present only knowledge because what I need to know may not exist. Learning requires an interaction of brain and heart. Learning to learn means that I know how to use my brain and my heart well.
To help me learn how to learn, CEA gives me, my teacher, and/or my family a shared vocabulary. With this vocabulary, I can gain skills based on clear knowledge of twelve brain activities that help me think effectively and eight heart activities that help me become not only an independent learner but an interdependent team player. The vocabulary of CEA focuses my attention on specific thought processes or feelings that will enable me to learn.
Presented here is a summary of the CEA Building Blocks of Thinking and Tools of Learning with links to tables that consider the questions "What is it?", "How is it done or used?" and most importantly a reflection of "If I use this Building Block or Tool then I will realize a benefit." For example, "If I use the Building Block of Exploration then I will have all the information I need to begin my task."
CEA Building Blocks of Thinking
Building Blocks for Approaching the Learning Experience (Exploration, Planning, Expression)
Building Blocks for Making Meaning of the Learning Experience (Working Memory, Making Comparisons, Getting the Main Idea, Thought Integration, Connecting Events)
Building Blocks for Confirming the Learning Experience (Precision and Accuracy, Space and Time Concepts, Selective Attention, Problem Identification)
CEA Tools of Learning
Tools for Understanding Feelings within the Learning Experience (Inner Meaning, Feeling of Challenge, Awareness of Self-Change, Feeling of Competence)
Tool for Motivating Behavior within the Learning Experience (Self-Regulation, Goal Orientation, Self-Development, Sharing Behavior)
Building Blocks for Approaching the Learning Experience
Exploration: To search systematically for information needed in the learning experience.
Planning: To prepare and use an organized approach in the learning experience.
Expression: To communicate thoughts and actions carefully in the learning experience.
Building Blocks for Making Meaning of the Learning Experience
Working Memory: To use memory processes effectively.
Making Comparisons: To discover similarities and differences automatically among some parts of the learning experience.
Getting the Main Idea: To identify the basic thought that holds related ideas together.
Thought Integration: To combine pieces of information into complete thoughts and hold onto them while needed.
Connecting Events: To find relationships among past, present, and future learning experiences automatically.
Building Blocks for Confirming the Learning Experience
Precision and Accuracy: To know there is a need to understand words and concepts and use them correctly and to seek information automatically when the need arises.
Space and Time Concepts: To understand and use information about space and time that is important in almost all learning.
Selective Attention: To choose between relevant and irrelevant information and to focus on the information needed in the learning experience.
Problem Identification: To experience a sense of imbalance automatically and define its cause when something interferes with successful learning.
Tools for Understanding Feelings within the Learning Experience
Inner Meaning: To seek deep, personal value in learning experiences that energizes thinking and behavior and leads to greater commitment and success.
Feeling of Challenge: To energize learning in new and complex experiences by focusing on the learning process rather than fear and anxiety and about a possible unsuccessful product.
Awareness of Self-Change: To recognize and understand feelings related to personal growth and to learn to expect and welcome change and development.
Feeling of Competence: To energize feelings, thoughts, and behaviors by developing beliefs about being capable of learning and doing something effectively.
Tool for Motivating Behavior within the Learning Experience
Self-Regulation: To reflect on thoughts and actions as they occur to energize, sustain, and direct behavior toward successful learning and doing.
Goal Orientation: To take purposeful action in consistently setting, seeking, and reaching personal objectives.
Self-Development: To appreciate special qualities in everyone and to enhance personal potential.
Sharing Behavior: To energize life and learning for everyone by sharing thoughts and actions through effective interdependent learning skills.
Building Blocks for Approaching the Learning Experience
Approaching the Learning Experience: Building Block of Exploration |
To search systematically for information needed in the learning experience.

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What is Exploration?
- going places
- being adventurous
- learning new things
- discovering
- not being afraid
- expanding knowledge
- seeking
- looking into
- knowledge
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How is Exploration done?
- physical and mental activities
- research by finding information
- ordered steps
- ask questions
- take notes then applied
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If I use the Building Block of Exploration then I will have all the information I need to begin my task.
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Approaching the Learning Experience: Building Block of Planning |
To prepare and use an organized approach in the learning experience.

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What is Planning?
- sequence of steps to proceed to a goal
- an organized way of developing something
- a mentality
- preparation for future events
- organizing thoughts
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How is Planning done?
- list items, obstacles, supplies
- ask for clarification
- execute activities
- eliminating or compensating for problems
- creating a schedule, timetable or agenda
- drafting a rough copy, sketch or flowchart
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If I use the Building Block of Planning then I am more likely to eliminate the potential for problems and achieve my goal.
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Approaching the Learning Experience: Building Block of Expression |
To communicate thoughts and actions carefully in the learning experience.

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What is Expression?
- using words to speak of something
- giving an example
- writing, vocally, body language
- telling someone emotions, feelings, information, instruction
- demonstrate, show
- communication
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How is Expression done?
- visual, draw a picture
- write words
- audio, use face, body language, ears, tone of voice, volume
- presentation in dress
- appearance
- consider your audience
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If I use the Building Block of Expression then I will be capable of communicating with various audiences and they will be able to understand me.
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Building Blocks for Making Meaning of the Learning Experience
Making Meaning of the Learning Experience: Building Block of Working Memory |
To use memory processes effectively.

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What is Working Memory?
- remembering something
- the ability to manipulate information inside your head
- a cognitive path
- similar to a control tower for airplanes
- a space to put together ideas
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How is Working Memory used?
- mathematical computations
- mental work
- focus on one subject
- clear your mind especially of feelings
- blocking distractions
- recalling information and hanging on to it while I do the task
- adding to what I already know new information and hanging on to all of it while I do the task
- deciding how I will put all the new things I have learned into my memory for later recall when I need them.
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If I use the Building Block of Working Memory then I will be able to put together ideas.
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Making Meaning of the Learning Experience: Building Block of Making Comparisons |
To discover similarities and differences automatically among some parts of the learning experience.

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What is Making Comparisons ?
- sorting by color, size, cost, value
- seeing which one is better or bigger
- checking the matter or mass
- comparing pros and cons
- noting similarities and differences
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How is Making Comparisons done?
- measuring equipment
- make a list of likes, differences
- judge the results
- see which one is better, or worse, or bigger
- deciding what would be the best
- quality, quantity
- asking "Have I every done (seen) anything like this before?"
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If I use the Building Block of Making Comparisons then I can make decisions to my advantage.
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Making Meaning of the Learning Experience: Building Block of Getting the Main Idea |
To identify the basic thought that holds related ideas together.

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What is Getting the Main Idea?
- understanding the point
- narrowing, focusing
- conclusion, thesis
- selecting the important ideas
- grasping key points, getting the punch line to a joke
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How is Getting the Main Idea done?
- read and summarize
- key words
- identify repetition
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If I use the Building Block of Getting the Main Idea then I will find school work easier because I'll have better understanding.
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Making Meaning of the Learning Experience: Building Block of Thought Integration |
To combine pieces of information into complete thoughts and hold onto them while needed.

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What is Thought Integration?
- building on thoughts
- immediate reaction
- revising, expanding on concepts
- take ideas that do not seem connected, combining them into one seamless idea
- have picture in mind and then develop details
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How is Thought Integration done?
- making decisions
- to perform basic tasks
- visualizing concepts
- creative problem solving
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If I use the Building Block of Thought Integration then I will take ideas from many areas and combine them to have a better result.
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Making Meaning of the Learning Experience Building Block of Connecting Events |
To find relationships among past, present, and future learning experiences automatically.

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What is Connecting Events?
- hindsight, foresight
- linking occurrences together
- understanding how past, present, future affect each other
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How is Connecting Events done?
- strategies for game playing
- predicting consequences
- applied analysis
- problem solving
- building relationships
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If I use the Building Block of Connecting Events then I'll be able to predict and analyze accurately.
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Building Blocks for Confirming the Learning Experience
Confirming the Learning Experience: Building Block of Precision and Accuracy |
To know there is a need to understand words and concepts and use them correctly and to seek information automatically when the need arises.

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What is Precision and Accuracy?
- correct measurements
- getting the bull's eye on the target
- using words correctly
- being articulate
- communicating concisely and clearly
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How is Precision and Accuracy done?
- using information to reach a goal
- double checking
- use resources like dictionary to check information
- verify data
- paying attention to words, tone of voice, facial expression, body language
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If I use the Building Block of Precision and Accuracy then I will be able to come to an appropriate conclusion.
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Confirming the Learning Experience: Building Block of Space and Time Concepts |
To understand and use information about space and time that is important in almost all learning.

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What are Space and Time Concepts?
- openness, empty, can be filled
- dimensions that can be measured
- time sun, hours, minutes, seconds
- width, height depth, distance
- time is the fourth dimension
- direction, size
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How is Space and Time Concepts done?
- time critical to organization and planning
- organizing space for activity
- past, present, future
- understanding size and order
- determine where and how long it will take me to do a task
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If I use the Building Block of Space and Time Concepts then I will be able to meet deadlines.
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Confirming the Learning Experience: Building Block of Selective Attention |
To choose between relevant and irrelevant information and to focus on the information needed in the learning experience.

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What is Selective Attention?
- choosing what to focus on
- using listening skills
- directing energy to subject
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How is Selective Attention done?
- looking at and focusing
- ignore distractions
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If I use the Building Block of Selective Attention then I'll focus only on the things I need to do the task.
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Confirming the Learning Experience: Building Block of Problem Identification |
To experience a sense of imbalance automatically and define its cause when something interferes with successful learning.

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What is Problem Identification?
- a recognition that something is wrong
- noticing a need
- seeing a conflict
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How is Problem Identification done?
- stop, look, listen
- recognize the feeling of imbalance
- noticing issues in environment
- clearly define the problem
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If I use the Building Block of Problem Identification then I will be able to recognize problems and direct my energy towards solving them.
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Tools for Understanding Feelings within the Learning Experience
A special thank-you to the 2006-07 Grade 7/8 students at Wild Rose School who lent their hearts and minds to brainstorming the charts for the following Tools.
Understanding Feelings within the Learning Experience : Tool of Inner Meaning |
To seek deep, personal value in learning experiences that energizes thinking and behavior and leads to greater commitment and success.

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What is Inner Meaning?
- meaning past the surface
- meaning on the inside
- spirit within
- purpose
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How is Inner Meaning used?
- finding reasons learn other than just marks
- visualization
- listening
- taking interest
- looking for ways learning is important or useful
- applying learning to life
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If I use the Tool of Inner Meaning then I will find it easier to take interest in learning.
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Understanding Feelings within the Learning Experience : Tool of Feeling of Challenge |
To seek deep, personal value in learning experiences that energizes thinking and behavior and leads to greater commitment and success.

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What is Feeling of Challenge?
- to dare
- to be brave
- to prove yourself
- to willingly venture into new territory
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How is Feeling of Challenge used?
- motivate yourself with positive thinking
- visualize success
- positive self-talk
- overcoming fear by asking for support from a trusted person
- relieving anxiety by relaxing
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If I use the Tool of Feeling of Challenge then I will find new learning experiences exciting and rewarding.
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Understanding Feelings within the Learning Experience : Tool of Awareness of Self-Change |
To seek deep, personal value in learning experiences that energizes thinking and behavior and leads to greater commitment and success.

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What is Awareness of Self-Change?
- realizing I'm growing up
- knowing that I'm getting smarter
- noticing physical changes
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How is Awareness of Self-Change used?
- looking at photographs
- reminiscing with family and friends
- personal reflection
- journalling
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If I use the Tool for Awareness of Self-Change then I can boost my self-esteem by measuring my progress.
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Understanding Feelings within the Learning Experience : Tool of Feeling of Competence |
To seek deep, personal value in learning experiences that energizes thinking and behavior and leads to greater commitment and success.

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What is Feeling of Competence?
- high self-esteem
- feeling good about myself
- pride in my achievements
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How is Feeling of Competence used?
- participating
- willingness to commit and take risks
- being positive and assertive
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If I use the Tool of Feeling of Competence then I will feel confident in my ability to learn new things.
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Tools for Motivating Behavior within the Learning Experience
Understanding Feelings within the Learning Experience : Tool of Self-Regulation |
To seek deep, personal value in learning experiences that energizes thinking and behavior and leads to greater commitment and success.

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What is Self-Regulation?
- following rules
- being orderly
- my own rules
- laws that are important to follow
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How is Self-Regulation used?
- stop, think, go
- writing down my own rules
- keeping my stuff organized
- develop good habits
- looking for ways to be more efficient
- pacing myself
- pay attention to how I am feeling and making good choices
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If I use the Tool of Self-Regulation then I will think about what I need to do next and follow through.
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Understanding Feelings within the Learning Experience : Tool of Goal Orientation |
To seek deep, personal value in learning experiences that energizes thinking and behavior and leads to greater commitment and success.

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What is Goal Orientation?
- pick a goal and stick with it
- work hard towards a target
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How is Goal Orientation used?
- study wisely for tests
- dedicate time to training and practicing
- join a study group with the same goal
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If I use the Tool of Goal Orientation then I will direct my energy to a specific target increasing my likelihood of success.
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Understanding Feelings within the Learning Experience : Tool of Self-Development |
To seek deep, personal value in learning experiences that energizes thinking and behavior and leads to greater commitment and success.

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What is Self-Development?
- developing my talents
- improving myself
- getting smarter
- working on my potential
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How is Self-Development used?
- improving weaknesses by using strengths
- understanding my personal learning style
- learning about my heritage
- seeking out and learning from experts
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If I use the Tool of Self-Development then I will recognize the contributions I can make and value the contributions from others.
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Understanding Feelings within the Learning Experience : Tool of Sharing Behavior |
To seek deep, personal value in learning experiences that energizes thinking and behavior and leads to greater commitment and success.

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What is Sharing Behavior?
- helping others
- contributing to learning
- communicating
- cooperating
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How is Sharing Behavior used?
- offering to help
- listening carefully
- asking questions
- encouraging others to participate
- accepting responsibility for activity
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If I use the Tool of Sharing Behaviour then I will not only increase my own learning but I will help others.
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created 10-Jul-2006
modified 30-Jan-2010