The Optimal Flow Method™ is MindChamps’ proprietary approach to active and engaged learning that is interwoven through all MindChamps programmes. Developed after extensive research into active learning, this aspect of MindChamps curriculum helped dozens of students better engage with their studies while cultivating a genuine lifelong love of learning along the way.
The main goals of the Optimal Flow Method™ can be summarised through the 4 A’s: Active Understanding, Active Storage, Active Recall, and Application. Each of these 4 A’s can be further fine tuned depending on the subject being focused on, with unique benefits and outcomes across each subject.
Here’s how the Optimal Flow Method™ is applied in MindChamps’ English enrichment classes:
Intuitive understanding of complex concepts
The Active Understanding stage of the Optimal Flow Method™ focuses on understanding, ordering, and reducing information. This means even the most complicated grammar or spelling rules are broken down to help learners build a strong foundation for grammar mastery.
Building an intuitive understanding of the ‘rules’ of the English language helps students feel more confident in interpreting and processing examples of language usage around them. Even at the Primary 1 and Primary 2 levels, programmes such as MindChamps Primary Success for Primary 1-2 equip young students with the basic knowledge they need to communicate in English – be it in class or in their day-to-day life.
Flexible cross-topic understanding
In mainstream education the tendency is to shift to a new topic once the existing topic has been mastered or covered. However this can lead to gaps in understanding not being addressed, or students missing the opportunity to clarify their doubts and hesitations.
The Optimal Flow Method™ takes a different approach through its incorporation of Active Storage, which makes reference to previously covered topics in order to better understand new ones. This helps students build on their existing knowledge, identify gaps in understanding, and focus on their weak spots to emerge with an overall improved understanding of the subject as a whole.
Cross-topic comprehension or application of concepts in English is thus easier as the student can understand the interwoven relationships between different topics. Upper primary students in the MindChamps Primary Success for Primary 3-5 programme may even be encouraged to draw on concepts or subject-specific knowledge from their lower primary syllabus to strengthen their understanding of advanced concepts and writing techniques.
Strengthened vocabulary bank
The third stage of the Optimal Flow Method™ – and a key stage in the MindChamps Hourglass Learning Model – is Active Recall where students reconstruct, synthesise, and apply their knowledge.
Active recall is a popular active learning strategy that helps with information retrieval and memory retention. Rather than using rote memorisation, active recall trains the brain to better organise and access the information that a student has already internalised. Flashcards and visual aids such as charts and graphs are popular methods for applying active recall to learning English. These methods allow students to test their own understanding and establish that they have understood the material at a more thorough level.
At its core, active recall is a strategy on how to learn rather than simply looking at what needs to be learnt.
Confident application and communication across different contexts and situations
Ultimately the Optimal Flow Method™ helps students become effective wielders and confident communicators of the English language even when faced with questions that test their comfort levels.
At MindSpace we offer after school enrichment activities and weekend enrichment programmes that incorporate the Optimal Flow Method™ to help your Primary School child feel in control of their learning and confident in applying their knowledge.
Get in touch to find out more about our after school and student care programmes in Singapore.