Researchers at the Institute of HeartMath have spent years exploring how people, young and old, learn and what could done to facilitate and enhance their learning. They took their findings, consulted with educators nationwide and developed the TestEdge® supplemental learning programs, scientifically designed and tested to help bridge emotions and academics for student success. They tailored the programs especially for various age and grade levels. Students will appreciate how TestEdge speaks to them about the "stuff" they’re going through inside and outside the classroom and solutions that not only help them academically, but socially as well. Besides the thoroughness of the materials, teachers will appreciate not only the improved academic performance in many of their students, but the positive change in attitude and behavior as well.
The Science Behind TestEdge®
The findings of HeartMath’s research show when we are feeling positive emotions such as caring and compassion this helps stabilize the brain’s electrical activity. This stabilization results in "cortical facilitation," which is associated with improved comprehension, memory recall and the ability to solve problems, all skills that produce positive test results and improved learning ability. This measurable physiological state, which we call being "in sync,"
underlies optimal learning and performance. When our emotions are calm – positive emotions can help facilitate this calmness – and our brain, nervous system and other bodily systems function with increased synchronization and harmony, we are highly in sync – physically, mentally and emotionally. It’s like opening a door to the higher cognitive processes, which are critical for focusing attention, reasoning and creativity and are essential for effective learning, academic achievement and social success.
The cumulative emotional stress from family issues, peer pressure, overwhelm and boredom increases the blocks and resistance to learning and test-taking. These pressures erode self-motivation and especially stifle the desire to learn. Too much stress in our lives can create "memory jammers," and on test day, even the best-prepared students often may perform poorly because of memory block caused by test anxiety.
Dr. Rollin McCraty, director of research for the Institute of HeartMath, explains this phenomenon: "When students are anxious about their test performance, their brain ceases to function efficiently. They can look at a test question and literally not see certain words, become confused or miss the meaning of the question. They can even miss seeing entire questions on the page."
McCraty says the key to understanding how anxiety inhibits cognitive and physical performance lies in understanding how emotions affect the rhythmic activity in the nervous system. Feelings like frustration, anger and anxiety cause the neural activity in the two branches of the autonomic nervous system to get out of sync. This in turn affects the synchronized activity in the brain, disrupting our ability to think clearly. On the other hand, he said, uplifting feelings such as appreciation and caring lead to increased harmony and synchronization in the brain and nervous system, which facilitate our ability to think clearly.
TestEdge: Proven Success
TestEdge already has helped thousands of students around the world improve academic performance, including their concentration and focus, study habits and preparing for and achieving higher scores on exams, especially today’s standardized and high-stakes tests such as high school exit exams.
IHM’s TestEdge National Demonstration Study, funded by the U.S. Department of Education, has established the effectiveness of these research-based supplemental programs in teaching students to overcome test anxiety. This groundbreaking study found that nearly two-thirds of students in a HeartMath intervention group and a control group reported having test anxiety, 26% of them experiencing high levels often or most of the time. Following the intervention group’s participation in the TestEdge program, 75% of those who reported being affected by test anxiety at the beginning of the study had reduced levels by the end of the study.
Elementary school teacher Nancy Henry used the program with her students and knows the benefits.
"I taught the TestEdge® program to grades 3-7 students … in the 2005/2006 year," said Henry, who teaches in Central Okanagan School District, Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada. "I feel the TestEdge program is so powerful because it enables students to maximize their potential, to utilize the skills and abilities they have, to feel good about themselves and to feel in control – to know that they have the ability at any time to change how they feel, how they perceive and how they respond."
TestEdge originally was piloted in the Minneapolis Public Schools. Clinical Psychologist Dr. Pam Aasen and reading curriculum specialist Stephanie Thurik conducted a study in which 20 high school seniors who had failed the state required Basic Standards Tests in Reading and Math, were given the three-week TestEdge program.
"The students had the knowledge, but were unable to pass the test because of anxiety and stress," Aasen recalled. "The overwhelming feeling of stress, even when they were well prepared academically, caused students to feel anxious and fearful that they would be unable to perform effectively. TestEdge helped ease test-taking anxiety, arming the students with the confidence they needed to feel prepared emotionally as well as academically."
Students learned TestEdge’s techniques for managing stress and anxiety. They regularly practiced two of the HeartMath techniques, Freeze-Frame® and Heart-Lock-In® and also balanced their nervous systems by using the emWave® PC Stress Relief System, a computer based interactive learning system that helps students generate a state of synchronized inner coherence, helping them "get in sync." By seeing the changes in their nervous systems in real time the students could better appreciate how anxiety affected their brains and bodies and could practice reversing these effects.
Of the 20 students who used the TestEdge program before retaking their exit exams, 64% passed the math proficiency test, compared to the district average of 42%. In reading proficiency, 55% passed, compared to the district average of 31%. This represents a 52% increase in students passing the math test and a 77% increase in students passing the reading test.
"In just three weeks, the students made gains that represent one to two years’ growth in reading and math," Thurik explained. "This clearly shows that by using HeartMath tools students were able to reduce test-taking anxiety and more accurately demonstrate what they knew."
Many young students are unprepared for the pressure of mandated exams and can become emotionally and/or physically upset, even weeks in advance. Because of this, their ability to learn new information and to recall and use what they have learned already is greatly inhibited. With TestEdge tools, techniques and strategies, students learn to overcome test anxiety, resignation and discouragement while at the same time improving listening and focusing skills. TestEdge boosts comprehension and problem solving because it’s so highly effective in increasing clarity. Each of the 16 fully scripted lessons is presented on poster size photo lesson cards that engage student participation and learning. Learning is enhanced with Student Workbooks, which are purchased separately. Go to TestEdge Grades 3-5.
The Student Activity Book is scientifically validated and child friendly. Students will learn about feelings, how stress affects them and ways to deal with it, how to activate positive feelings, when their bodies are in sync/out of sync and test-taking strategies and skills. Includes two essential HeartMath tools: Freeze-Frame® helps them step back from situations to find new options; Neutral helps them neutralize strong emotions. Go to TestEdge Grades 3-5 Student Workbook.
In the tumultuous middle school years, students are grappling with the onset of puberty and adjusting to new schools, multiple teachers, and changing relations among peers. The grades 6-8 version of TestEdge is geared toward helping these young students improve their attitudes and motivation to learn. Students who practice this evidence-based program learn to transform the test-taking experience and perform better on standardized tests. Its fully scripted lessons are presented in a flexible format that allows teachers to customize the 20 15-minute lessons to their scheduling needs. Student activity books are purchased separately. Go to TestEdge Grades 6-8 Teacher’s Kit.
TestEdge® Grades 6-8 Student Activity Book (for classroom use)
The Student Activity Book is scientifically validated and youth friendly. Students overcome test anxiety and stress in fun ways by understanding how their emotions and attitudes are affecting academic work. Three HeartMath tools are provided: Neutral – step back from situations and neutralize strong emotions; Attitude Breathing® – identify and shift unwanted attitudes; Freeze-Frame® – freeze the moment, step back and find new options. TestEdge has improved test scores 30% or more. Go to TestEdge Grades 6-8 Student Activity Book.
TestEdge® Interactive CD Grades 6-8 (for home or classroom use)
Designed for students to learn at their own pace, this multimedia leaning program combines flash images, narration and interactive sessions to fully engage the learner. After reviewing key points, students take short quizzes that tie learning to their personal experience. This evidence-based program is effective at helping students understand how emotions and attitudes affect academic performance and provides step-by-step instruction on how to shift into their optimal state for leaning. In addition to test performance and motivation, students improve classroom behavior and focus. Go to TestEdge CD 6-8.
A major research study supported by the U.S. Department of Education with 980 high school students suggests that when students manage stress and test anxiety, they are able to achieve both a significant reduction in test-related anxiety and a corresponding improvement in standardized test scores.
Because the outcome of high school tests can have significant consequences, TestEdge 9-12 gives students a performance edge in learning and test-taking. As students reduce dread and test anxiety they increase their motivation, focus and comprehension. Like all TestEdge programs, it teaches a set of easy-to-use techniques to help students find their personal zone of best performance – like athletes who perform their best when they’re in the zone. Twelve fully scripted lessons can be customized to meet scheduling needs. Student activity books are purchased separately. Go to TestEdge Grades 9-12 Teacher’s Kit.
TestEdge® Grades 9-12 Student Program/Activity Book (for classroom use)
Scientifically validated and teen friendly. Students learn about their three brains and emotions and how they affect learning; the heart-brain connection; performance blocks; and achieving their goals. Includes three key HeartMath tools: Neutral – step back from situations and neutralize strong emotions; Attitude Breathing® – identify and shift unwanted attitudes; Freeze-Frame® – find new options, solutions. Go to TestEdge Grades 9-12 Student Program/Activity Book.
TestEdge® Interactive CD Grades 9-12+ (for home or classroom use)
As students progress through the TestEdge Interactive CD, they gain greater confidence, focus and motivation in both academic work and school interactions. In each video segment, high school and college-age students explore typical issues they confront each day. They learn how to apply the TestEdge tools to challenges, including: communication difficulties with parents, teachers, peers and coworkers; feelings of being overwhelmed and time pressure; difficulty learning new material and the feelings of stress and anxiety associated with big tests. Throughout each of the five lessons, interactive exercises help students pause, reflect and internalize the material. The resource section contains 12 optional lessons in PDF format that allows for review and further understanding. Go to TestEdge Interactive CD Grades 9-12+.
