Cognitive Flow in the Classroom: Are You Feeling the Flow?

When I want to achieve cognitive flow, I may read, write, do a logic puzzle, or complete a nonogram. Another way I achieve cognitive flow is through “brain training” apps on my phone. I really enjoy challenging my mind and stretching my creativity.

So, what is cognitive flow?

Suttie (2012) claims it is the "feeling of complete immersion in an activity, where we're so engaged that our worries, sense of time, and self consciousness seem to disappear." Does this sound like a marathon session of Farmville to anyone else? No? Just me?

How do we achieve cognitive flow?

In the state of cognitive flow, a person is completely involved and focused, they feel a sense of being outside of themselves, they have intrinsic motivation and an inner clarity that keeps them working in spite of discomforts like hunger. It is a skill known well enough to be automatic and offers a timeless serenity where hours can seem to go by in minutes. (Csikszentmihalyi, 2004)  

How do I achieve flow in my classroom?

Well, the work shouldn’t be too difficult, but it should be challenging enough to be interesting. It should also be presented in an interesting manner to keep students interested. Let’s look at my list of interests, because I have instituted some of the things I love to help my students achieve flow.

Reading and writing-

I allow them to choose the topic they would like for their writing and I give them free reading time, however, I don’t imagine this will offer them much in the way of flow, since the flow of reading and writing seems to be directly correlated with the reading or writing not being part of a mandatory assignment. You might however, be able to get students interested enough to create flow, provided the student have the required technical skills to complete the assignment.

Play-based learning-

This year, since I’m teaching 5^th grade, I thought it was important to focus on improving logic and reasoning skills. I began working with my students on day one, giving them logic puzzles, nonograms, and clue-based mysteries. At first, they had difficulty and required me to walk them along the logical steps a good deal of the time. I persevered and soon they were doing simple puzzles alone. As my students continued to build their logic skills, I increased the difficulties of their puzzles and I began to see the flow. It began with a few of my more advanced students, but as the pictures on the nonograms grew more intricate, I began to see the flow spread throughout most of the class.

Are there places I can help my students experience the flow, or experience it myself?

  

There are many places to look for flow. Your personal learning network will likely be full of ideas. I watch youtube videos, where other teachers discuss ideas that worked in their classrooms and things their kids really enjoyed. I’ve found science videos that have fascinated my students and sent them into a state of flow as they write or research the subjects in the video. Pinterest also has many pinned ideas to help you get students in the zone. Blogs like mine will help as well. For instance, I’ll share right now that online game-based learning like prodigygames.com, code.org, starfall, and Zearn can encourage flow, and students often have the required technical skills to understand these games.

Are there a few resources where I can learn about flow?

You bet! Here's my resource list.

Suttie, J., (April 17, 2012). Eight Tips for Fostering Flow in the Classroom. Retrieved from http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/eight_tips_for_fostering_flow_in_the_classroom

Csikszentmihalyi, M., (Feb. 2004). Flow, the Secret to Happiness. Retrieved from https://www.ted.com/talks/mihaly_csikszentmihalyi_on_flow