Dr. Paul A. Rodriguez

Brain Specialization and Learning

Brain Lateralization

•The brain is able to perform unique functions particular to one hemisphere. In complex tasks, both hemispheres are engaged.

•Left hemisphere processes external stimuli such as: speech , interprets words and evaluates material.•Right hemisphere processes internal messages by gathering information and looking for patterns.

Hemispheric PreferenceLeft Hemisphere Functions

Right Hemisphere Functions

Connected to right side of the body

Processes input in a sequential and analytical manner

Time-sensitiveGenerates spoke n

languageDoes invariable and

arithmetic operationsSpecializes in

recognizing words and numbers

Connected to the left side of the body

Processes input more holistically and abstractly

Space –sensitive Interprets language

through gestures, facial movements, emotions, and body language

Does relational and mathematical operations

Specializes in recognizing faces, places, objects, and music

The Gender Connection

Males Females Less gray matter than females ,

with more in left hemisphere than right .

Higher white matter than females, with the same in both hemispheres.

Cerebral spinal fluid is higher than in males.

Corpus callosum is smaller and thinner in females.

Language areas is located almost exclusively in left hemisphere.

Amygdala grows faster in teenage boys.

Hippocampus grows slower in teenage boys than in girls.

o Gray matter is the same in both hemispheres.

o Lower percentage of white matter than males.

o Cerebral spinal fluid is lower than men.o Corpus callosum is larger and thicker

than in males. o Language areas are in the left

hemisphere.o Amygdala grows slower in teenage

girls than in boys.o Hippocampus grows faster in teenage

girls than in boys.

Possible Causes of Gender Differences

The Effects of Hormones influence brain development differently in the sexes. Example with testosterone and boys.

The Effects of Natural Selection have fostered structural changes in the brain that are specific to each gender.

The Impact of the Environment studies indicate that boys’ and girls’ acuity of senses do not develop identically in both genders.

The Empathizing Female and Systemizing Male according to Simon Baron-Cohen (2003) proposes that female brains are wired for empathy, and that male brains are wired for systemizing.

Schools and Hemispheric Preference Left-Hemisphere

Schools-Structured

environments that run according to time schedules, favor facts and rules over patterns, and offer verbal instruction

Impact on Mathematics and Science

-Male and female brains deal differently with numbers and computation. Both boys and girls are on a level playing field.

Spoken Language SpecializationLearning Sounds Called Phonemes Learning GrammarThe total number of

phonemes in the world languages is around 90, which represents the maximum number of sounds that the human voice apparatus can create (Beatty, 2001).

Practice in speaking and adult correction helps children decode the mysteries of grammar’s irregularities. Prolonged television watching can impair the growth of young brains (Zimmerman & Christakis, 2005).

Learning Spoken LanguageLanguage Delay to two years is inherited,

and thus represents a distinct disorder not easily remedied by environmental interventions (Dale et al.,1998).

Implications are that the brain’s ability to acquire spoken language is at its peak in the early years, students benefit from a create a rich environment that includes lots of communication activities

Learning To ReadIs Reading a Natural Ability? -No areas of the brain specializes in

reading. -Learning to read requires three neural

systems: -Understanding -Auditory Processing -Visual Processing

Skills Involved in Reading

-Phonological and phonemic awareness -Alphabetic principle and phonics -Vocabulary -Fluency -Text comprehension

Problems in Learning to Read

Linguistic Causes Nonlinguistic Causes -Phonological deficits -Differences in

auditory and visual processing speeds

-Structural differences in the brain

-Phonological memory deficits

-Genetics and gender -Brain lesions in the

word processing areas -Word-blindness

-Perception of sequential sounds

-Sound-frequency discrimination

-Detection of target sounds in noise

-Motor coordination and the cerebellum

-Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder

Reference How the Brain Learns by David A. Sousa