Brain Based Learning - First Step

Teachers are always looking for better ways to present material to students so they learn faster and more efficiently.  Learning new material is the same as building new memories.  Humans create build and create new memories through information encoding, storing information, and stimulating the pathways by accessing and using the new material/memory.

Brain based learning is based on the way the brain changes, remaps, and reorganizes itself as it learns new information. The brain physically changes as it learns new material.  

It has been found that if teachers reduce stress, utilize more efficient ways of instruction, include a certain amount of physical activity, and providing opportunities to practice can help students learn.  In fact, it appears that if teachers take a bit of time to explain how the brain works, even for elementary students and for students who believe they aren't smart and that can't be changed.  Once they know how the brain processes and filters information, they discover, they can learn.

In brain based learning,  the brain becomes better at processing the information when it gets the chance to practice math in the same manner that they become good at playing basketball, tennis, or swimming.  In brain based learning, practice is not just doing the work, there are other techniques students can do to help them learn the material better.

In fact, the brain adds new connections as it acquires new material.  In addition, it is necessary to strengthen the new connections by remembering, practicing, visualizing, or using the new information.  This means students need to be exposed to the material multiple times.  According to Dr Judy Willis who had been a neurosurgeon before she became a math teacher, it is worth taking time to talk to students about the brain and how it works.  She feels that when students understand how the brain works and grows, they are more likely to lose the idea that they can't learn.

She discovered that when she took time to show how the brain works while providing ideas to help them study more effectively, they became more confident and changed their habits to improve their studying.  She also said that once students learned more about the way the brain worked, the more likely to change from "I can't learn because I wasn't born smart, or with math brains" to the idea they could learn.

The brain has filters that control what information reaches the prefrontal cortex or what Dr Willis calls the thinking brain.  The filtering system is made up of three parts, the reticular activating system, the limbic system, and dopamine.  In addition, the state of their health, emotions, and focus or attention can effect their ability to receive the information.  If they aren't feeling well, or are emotionally down, the information will not get through. 

They need to learn techniques to help them learn to achieve a good mood so they increase their ability to learn.  One way is to teach students to intentionally picturing a time or place when they felt safe, happy, and calm.  The more they practice remembering this place or time, the easier it is for them to recall it because it has become a memory and when they return to that place or time, they make it easier for new information to make it to the brain.  In addition, when they learn to use visualization with history, vocabulary, or math, they retain the material better. Furthermore, when students are taught to take relaxing breaths before a test or starting a challenging lesson, they will be more focused and ready to learn. 

One way to show students the brain grows is to discuss how the brain grows new connections called dendrites between neurons as it learns new things by showing them brain scans and then letting them make diagrams or clay models showing the new connections out of clay.  It is important to stress that more dendrites are formed as a student learns new things but they need adequate sleep.  If you look up the website Neuroscience for Kids, you'll find some great photos there.

We know that the more a student practices, the better they learn the material but we need to share why it is important to take scheduled breaks or connecting the material with something pleasurable helps brains retain the information.  Take this a step further by having students hypothesis what taking too many short breaks, or interrupting their studying with texts  versus how creating a study schedule or turning off the television or streaming can help or hinder their learning.

Lessons on how the brain works do not have to be done all at once.  You could schedule several short sections over the first few weeks of school.  If you'd like more information on how to teach students more about the brain, check this site out. Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a great day.