app2 schmidte(final)
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The Learning The Learning Process and the Process and the
BrainBrainErica Schmidt
Dr. Virginia BullockEDUC - 6651C-1
January 19, 2013
““Brain research can facilitate a shift Brain research can facilitate a shift in focus from teaching to learning”in focus from teaching to learning”
(Laureate Education Inc., 2008)(Laureate Education Inc., 2008)
Perspective of Perspective of Learners from the Learners from the
Past and the PresentPast and the Present
The History of The History of LearningLearning
Before the Industrial Revolution, students learned by watching and listening to people they knew- Apprenticeship programs became popular
OverviewOverview
Industrial Revolution brought a shift in learning theories
People followed rituals that had proven effective for some students
Education focused on “reading, writing, arithmetic” with little to no application.
Throughout the 20th Century many Throughout the 20th Century many Theorist and theories began to Theorist and theories began to
emerge and take shapeemerge and take shape
B.F. Skinner-1953
teacher or instructor rewards or punished students for behavior
“The idea is that certain stimuli will produce certain results” (Beers, 2006, p.8)
BehaviorismBehaviorism
How does Behaviorism relate to the brain? “[Behaviorism] discounts the activities of the brain. It does not explain how behavior changes and new learning occurs in the absence of reward and punishment” (Beers, 2006, p.9)
Lev Vygotsky- 1978
A student’s learning depends on his surroundings and his culture.
“Focusing on the child without understanding her culture provides only limited information to assist the child’s intellectual growth” (Beers, 2006, p.9)
Social CognitionSocial Cognition
Developmental Stages Developmental Stages and Cognitive and Cognitive
StructuresStructuresJean Piaget-1970
A child’s cognitive structures depend on the stages of a child’s development.
some experiences reinforce cognitive behavior, while some change it
Social Learning TheorySocial Learning Theory
Albert Bandura- 1977
Learning occurs through observation.
Four conditions must be present for social learning to occur: attention, retention, motor reproduction, motivation.
Current Learning Current Learning TheoriesTheories
There has been a shift in focus from how best a student can learn, to how much a student can learn
Students can learn in a variety of ways
OverviewOverview
Most learners can be classified into one of the following learning styles
Perceivers
concrete- learn from acting or doing
abstract- learn from observing
Processors
active- uses information as soon as they get it
reflective-spend time thinking over the information
Visual learners-learn best when presented with visual representations
Auditory learners- learn best when information is presented orally
Kinesthetic learners-learn best by using their own hands
The BrainThe Brain
Basic Anatomy Basic Anatomy The brain is made of four major lobes
1.Occipital lobe- responsible for vision
2.Temporal lobe- responsible for hearing
3.Frontal lobe- responsible for higher thinking and language development and communication
4.Motor Cortex- controls movement
Synapses- release neurotransmitters that start new electrical impulses
Dendrites- receive information from other cells
Axon- sends messages to other cells
NeuronNeuron
Brain Based Research Brain Based Research FindingsFindings
Learning- making connections between thousands of neurons
Memory- the ability to reactivate a prior make connection
The job of the teacher is to find a way to cement that connection.
Recent research in brain function has made 4 major findings in the connection between the brain and learning. These are as follows:
The human brain is “plastic” and can be changed based on what you do with it.
What impact does this finding have on the teachers role in the classroom?
“Teachers don’t just teach kids, they literally shape their brains” (LEI, 2008)
The entire classroom atmosphere impacts learning
#1 The brain is sculpted through #1 The brain is sculpted through experience (neuroplasticity) experience (neuroplasticity)
#2 The brain seeks meaningful #2 The brain seeks meaningful patternspatterns
If information is not meaningful to a person, they will not remember-the brain was made to forget.
What impact does this finding have on the teachers role in the classroom?
The more methods we use, the better students will remember
Concrete experience is always the best teaching method.
#3 Emotion is a catalyst for learning#3 Emotion is a catalyst for learning
“Two small but powerful structures deep within in each hemisphere called the amygdala regulate our emotional responses. These emotional responses have the ability to either impede or enhance learning” (Wolfe, 2013)
What impact does this finding have on the teachers role in the classroom?
When motivating and captivating a student through emotion, find a level that is appropriate but not so high that learning shuts down
#4 There are two types of memory#4 There are two types of memory
1.Procedural
Unconscious process; routine
Rote rehearsal
“Drill and Kill”
2.Declarative
Episodic; semantic
What you can declare
How can these implications impact How can these implications impact the classroom teacher?the classroom teacher?
Orchestrated immersion: Learning environments are created that immerse students in a learning experience. (Wilson, 2009)
example- When a kindergarten class is studying countries around the world, the teacher may transform the classroom using decorations, toys, music, etc. to immerse students in the new culture.
Relaxed alertness: An effort is made to eliminate fear, while maintaining a highly challenging environment (Wilson, 2009)
Example- Teacher plays soft classical music during a test; Classroom walls are painted light blue; calming scents are used in the classroom
“Children are stretched to maximize their cognitive potentials in teaching environments that are supportive, comfortable, and non-threatening.” (Wilson, 2009)
Active processing: Information is intentionally connected to prior learning. (Wilson, 2009)
Example- Kindergarten teacher teaches skip counting (counting by 2s, 5s, 10s). Third grade teacher pulls from that prior knowledge as she is teaching multiplication.
Our job is not to Our job is not to help kids do well on help kids do well on tests or in school. tests or in school.
Our job is to prepare Our job is to prepare kids do well in life. kids do well in life.
(LEI, 2008)(LEI, 2008)
ResourcesResources
Beers, B. (2006). Learning-driven schools: A practical guide for teachers and principals. Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision of Curriculum and Development.
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2008). The relationship between teaching and learning. Teacher Leadership in the Classroom. Baltimore, MD: Alexander, P.
Wilson, Leslie O. (2009). Overview of Brain Based Education .ED 790 - Brain Based Education. Retrieved from http://www4.uwsp.edu/education/lwilson/brain/bboverview.htm
Wolfe, Patricia. (2013). Brain Research and Education: Fact of Fad? Pat Wolfe, Mind Matters Inc. Retrieved from http://patwolfe.com/2011/09/brain-research-and-education-fad-or-foundation/
Images:
Schoolhouse-Photo-lo-res.jpg retrieved from http://www.schoolhousevineyard.com
learn_mark_brennan_cc-by-nc-sa2_flickr_heycoach-1197947341.jpg retrieved from www.infed.org
human-brain.jpg retrieved from www.wisegeek.org
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