A FEW MBE TAKEAWAYS
Relationships Matter
Since our founding in 1963, Xaverian has always emphasized
the critical importance of relationships to successful
teaching and learning. Now MBE tells us that what naturally
flows from the school’s mission—building enduring personal
relationships—is supported by neuroscience. Strong
relationships with adult role models and peers are best for
our young men. They thrive within a caring and supportive
community at school, and we will continue to provide this
type of community at Xaverian.
Neuroplasticity: It’s More Than A Buzzword
Human brains continue to develop throughout life, which
means our young men’s learning potential is not fixed. They
can learn to learn! This exciting truth is supported by the
science behind MBE. Here at Xaverian, having a growth
mindset means that we are committed to affording every
student the opportunity to perform to their greatest potential,
and we believe that potential is unlimited.
Lightening the Load
Xaverian has already taken active steps to lighten the
cognitive load, including a revised homework policy and a
brand new schedule that changes a student’s class load
from eight (in pre-COVID times) to six classes per day. This
allows our young men to find more balance in their lives,
giving them adequate time for extracurriculars, athletics,
family, and friends. Additionally, there are actionable
steps teachers take in the classroom to lighten the load,
from presenting information in simpler, smaller steps to
eliminating distractions like unnecessary decor or overly
complicated instructions. Why? Because science has
shown that we can only hold about three-to-five items
for roughly 20 seconds in our active memory. Delivering
content with careful attention to cognitive load means
better learning and more long-term retention. It’s about
lowering the barriers, not the bar!
Embracing the Rust
Educators can help students become better learners
by teaching them to “embrace the rust.” Simply put, the
act of trying to remember something helps us to learn
information. Stepping away from material and then working
to recall it can help students retain and use course
material more effectively. As a real-world application,
this means that consistent low-stakes assessments will
improve student performance on tests at the end of a
teaching unit.
“…the school is invested in us —
training us to be even better
at what we do.”
MS. ANDREA DOGLIOLI
Winter 2022 Xaverian Magazine 3