THE BRAIN AND LEARNING

OBJECTIVES

With support of notes, participants will be able to: describe how learning is related to brain structure and functions

offer hypotheses about effective teaching practices based on information about the brain

identify misconceptions she/he held and/or the beginnings of new information/knowledge

KEY QUESTIONS

What is learning?

How does the brain “learn”?

How might teachers use information about the brain to support learning for themselves, for children, and for youth?

HOW DOES THE BRAIN “LEARN”?

Cells

Types of cells

Structure of Neurons

Learning and neurons

Brain Components

Hemispheres & LobesInterior of brainCortexRelationship to learning

EXPLORING BRAIN COMPONENTS, TEACHING, AND LEARNING

Metaphors old and new

BRAIN AS A RAINFOREST

BRAIN AS A NEIGHBORHOOD

HEMISPHERES

Two cerebral hemispheres - left and rightConnected by corpus callosumLeft hemisphere generally processes information more in parts and sequentially; recognizes positive emotions faster than right hemisphereRight hemisphere controls gross motor functions but not fine motor functions for right-handers; recognizes negative emotions faster than left hemisphereMusic and arts as right-brain activities OUTDATED!

LOBES

FUNCTIONS OF THE LOBES

Occipital: middle back. Primarily responsible for vision.

Temporal: above and around ears.Primarily responsible for hearing, memory, meaning, and language.

FUNCTIONS OF THE LOBES

Frontal: area around forehead. Purposeful acts like judgment, creativity, problem-solving, planning.

Parietal: top back. Processes sensory and language functions.

INSIDE THE BRAIN

INTERIOR STRUCTURES AND THEIR FUNCTIONS

Thalamus: key sensory relay station; part of body’s reward system

Hypothalamus: Like a thermostat - regulates and influences appetite, hormone secretion, digestion, sexuality, circulation, emotions, sleep

INTERIOR STRUCTURES AND THEIR FUNCTIONS

Hippocampus: In temporal lobe, strongly involved in learning and memory formation

Amygdala: Critical processor for senses. Plays a role in emotionally laden memories. Contains huge number of opiate receptor sites implicated in rage, fear, and sexual feelings

TYPES OF CELLS

GLIAL CELLSGreek for “glue”Most numerous of brain’s

cells - 90%1,000 billion; no cell bodyRole Role - formation of blood-

brain barrier, transport of nutrients, regulation of immune system, remove dead cells, structural support

NEURONSAdults - 100 billion, half of a two

year oldAreas of brain grow new

neuronsHealthy neurons continuously

firingNeurons can move RoleRole - Responsible for

information processing and converting chemical and electrical signals back and forth

STRUCTURE OF NEURONS

Cell body,axon, dendritesMyelin sheath, neurotransmittersNumber of combinations est. as a 1 followed by 6.5 million MILES of 0’sEarth to Moon and back more than 13 times

LEARNING AND NEURONS

LEARNING AND NEURONS

ANIMATIONS OF NEURONS FIRING

http://www.animate4.com/meditation/brain/neuro/mind/iq/dreams/memory/hypnosis/cerebellum/meditation-hypnosis-iq-brain.mpghttp://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7134684121021483823http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2349016133121331921&q=Neurons+firing&total=38&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=3http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysDGX6bOgAwhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snO68aJTOpM

KEY FUNCTIONS OF THE CORTEX

Sense

Integrate

Act

THE CORTEX

MEANING MAKING AND THE LOBES

STRUCTURE AND LEARNING

IMPLICATIONS OF BRAIN STRUCTURE/FUNCTIONS FOR LEARNING PROCESS

TRANSFORMATION AND JUSTICE

Information/experience understanding

Past future

Outside inside

Power of other Power of learner

PURPOSE OF THE BRAIN

The purpose of the brain is to ensure survival

Survival is ensured through learning

Learning occurs through the electrical and chemical processing of new, coherent experiences, not through repeating old experiences

That is, people get “smarter,” or “learn,” by growing more synaptic connections and increasing dendritic branching - INCREMENTAL NOT FIXED!

Dendritic connections, not brain size, allow us to solve problemsLearning DOES NOT NECESSARILY mean a change in behaviorGenetic inheritance, damage to the brain, and adverse experiences can interfere with the neurological process of learning Teaching, learning, and parenting choices can improve learning and capacity

ONE MORE TIME :)

learning changes the brain learning occurs through trying out new things, not through getting the “right” answer - preventing mistakes is not healthy for a growing, adaptive brainrepeated electrical stimulation, along with increased input of nutrients, fosters cell growth through dendritic branching and formation of new synapsesnew synapses usually appear after learning occursmemory is enhanced through relevant, varied, engaging repetition and through applying complex thinking strategies

IDEAS TO CONSIDER

ENRICHED ENVIRONMENTS GROW BETTER BRAINS: integrate stories, reading, conversation, movement, music, arts into experiences, provide challenging problem solving, provide opportunities for choice

CHALLENGE: The single best way to grow a better brain is through challenging problem solving, critical thinking, relevant projects, complex activities.

FEEDBACK: specific, not general; multi-modal

THE ART OF CHANGING THE BRAIN - ZULL

Nutrition

Exercise

Genes

Challenge,language development, and arts

Love

Feedback