Sunday, August 22, 2010

Brain-based learning - comparative contemplation

At this point, I have read 6 books about brain-based learning; two each by Jensen, Leslie Hart, and Caine & Caine.
In Hart, I was introduced to MacLean's concept of the three brains (triune). The reptillian brain that controls bodily functions, the mid-brain (limbic cortex) that controls feelings and emotions, and the cerebral cortex that controls behavior. Hart speaks to the fact that humans are able to process lots of information simultaneously. So, everything that is going on in the environment, we take in. Some inputs our brains can ignore - if it is extraneous or too over-whelming. His Proster Theory demonstrates that we learn sequences of information and that faced with a situation, our brains select the most appropriate sequence to respond to the situation.

C&C build on Hart's theory about how we learn. C&C offer some interesting information that, once you read it, makes sense.
1. people learn best when they don't have to "downshift" to re lower brain to take care of oneself. So, this means that learning can only take place in a supportive environment that engages the learner.
2. people are able to take in lots of information simultaneously and that information should be presented with the whole and the details at the same time - so, we need to not spoon-feed information to the learners
3. an integrative and realistic approach to the learning will help people learn more and retain the information because they can use it to build maps (not routes/rote). In context information is better because you can see how the pieces relate to each other.

What changes can I make to my own teaching? I have to help the learners feel more engaged by introducing the parts and the whole at the same time....use realistic scenarios in the exercises...use s holistic/interdisciplinary approach.

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