The Integrative Model

Synopsis

In her Integrative Model, Barbara Clark emphasizes that, "Integration is a major principle of brain function" and thoroughly outlines the four parts of brain function: cognitive, affective, physical and intuitive and how these relate to the 7 components of the model (page 143): 1. responsive learning environment, 2. complex and challenging cognitive activity, 3. empowering language and behavior, 4. choice and perceived control, 5. relaxation and tension reduction, 6. movement and physical encoding, and 7. intuition and integration. Clark states that, gifted learners often have "increased dendrites" for integrating linear and spatial (left and right) parts of the brain in cognitive function, and this model seeks to nurture giftedness through total brain function.

What Works for Me

• The foundation of the model in neuroscience makes it appealing to me, as it addresses how brains learn, through integration.
• The 7 components of the model reflect good teaching practices that can help all students. Compassion and empathy from teachers through a responsive and relaxed learning environment are appealing parts of the model.
• The focus on mindset can help ease student anxiety around perfection and mistakes, especially around mathematics
• Clark said, "There is no one way to use the components and structures of the Integrative Education Model in the classroom" (page 160), but many of the components and science behind brain plasticity can be applied to the work we are all already doing.
• The celebration and nurturing of intuition are imploring.

What Doesn't Work for Me

• Requires a lot of planning time up front which may be difficult for teachers implementing this model
• There are not a lot of resources available for implementing Clark's model

Considerations

• Political: The lack of resources and the broadness of this model could be a tough sell to administrators, teachers, and families. The research-based best practices could certainly be implemented without using the entire model, but placing a huge emphasis on intuition may be a turn off for a school district. 
• Budgetary: Depending on how a district plans to implement this model, it can be cost effective. The 7 components are rooted in best educational practices and can be adopted by classroom teachers within an already established educational model. Training can come through already established professional development time and budget if a school so chooses.
• State/District Guidelines: Although Maine's Chapter 104 law does not specifically identify brain function, it does state that gifted/talented students have "General Intellectual Ability as shown by demonstrated significant achievement or potential for significant accomplishment above their age peers in all academic areas." Through Clark's model those intellectual abilities are addressed through neuroscience.
• Population: This model can be used with a whole school population. Although the model is not implemented through a different program for G/T students, it can be differentiated for gifted learners, especially through the complex and challenging cognitive activity.
• Time: This model requires a lot of planning time in setting up the classroom learning environment and designing learning tasks that meet the needs of all students. These best practices can be established at the start of the school year and then flexibly adapted for student needs through the 7 components.