The brain and learning
- 1. The Brain and Learning CACE – Facilitating Adult Learning Oct 27 – Oct 31, 2014 Donna Christensen
- 2. Introduction Video (hover over the picture)
- 3. Learning Objectives To understand the role of the brain in attention and learning To identify strategies that can optimize the learning environment http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgLYkV689s4
- 4. Before we start…. I would like you to consider your current learning environment; perhaps you are at work or in a home office or logged in from an iPad somewhere…
- 5. Are you comfortable? Hungry, thirsty, needs a potty break? Are you too hot or cold, is your chair comfy? Are there too many distractions or are you feeling too disconnected from your class? Are you tired, upset, or worried about something or stressed with too many things on your plate? Are you full of energy, happy and interested in what you are about to learn?
- 6. All these things are ways your brain can influence your learning before your facilitator even begins!!
- 7. How the brain works Mackeracher in ‘Making Sense of Adult Learning’ uses a simplified theory of the brain function called ‘the Triune Brain’ Brain has 3 levels: Reticular Activating System (Reptilian Brain) The Limbic System (Primitive Mammalian Brain) The Neo-Cortex (The Modern Mammalian Brain)
- 8. The Triune Brain A YouTube Video explaining the Triune Brain https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHLbgYcFFcw
- 9. Reticular Activating System – Reptilian Brain This part of the brain is instinctual and involves basic functions: Feeding Fighting Fleeing And sexual behaviour Redirects your attention to your basic needs and focus your attention to these first – defaulting to any stimuli for survival or safety
- 10. Reticular Activating System – Reptilian Brain Have you ever found yourself not really paying attention to someone talking or to the road ahead of you while driving? Your Reticular Activating System can act as a switch focusing your attention on what your brain identifies as important to your safety or survival. e.g. it’s getting close to lunch time and you can no longer focus on your facilitator – you start to think about where to have lunch, what to eat, etc.
- 11. The Limbic System – The Primitive Mammalian Brain Dedicated to gentler social emotions found in parenting The emotional content of stimuli is processed before its meaning Your value system is here housed here Enhances or supresses your short-term memory Influences what we store in long-term memory
- 12. The Limbic System – The Primitive Mammalian Brain It judges all experiences based on pain or pleasure Relatively resistant to change New learning is mostly from registering new experiences that expand our existing values
- 13. The Neo-Cortex – the Modern Mammalian Brain Cerebral cortex divided into two cerebral hemispheres Houses intellect All formal and informal learning occurs here Coordinates our relationship with the outside world: vision, hearing, taste, smell, bodily sensations, motor responses
- 14. The Neo-Cortex – the Modern Mammalian Brain Controls conscious activity but relies on the lower levels of the brain to pass along information Information about a real or perceived threat is generally given priority E.g. individuals with test anxiety have a very hard time retrieving information for the test
- 15. Cerebral Hemispheres - Right Brained or Left Brained Left Side of Brain Verbal Logical Temporal (time) Sequential (links ideas) Digital (uses words) Right Side of Brain Visual-Spatial (non-verbal) Global/Integrating Nonlinear Analogical (comparisons)
- 16. Cerebral Hemispheres - Right Brained or Left Brained So now for some fun….. Here is a link to a right brain/left brain quiz to see where you fall. http://testyourself.psychtests.com/testid/3178
- 17. Cerebral Hemispheres - Right Brained or Left Brained The effective pursuit of knowledge requires the functions of both hemispheres The brain is always doing many things at once – it is a parallel processor Brain needs to have many areas stimulated while learning to work optimally or it may wander It can learn on multiple levels, processing the whole learning E.g. I can learn information in a break out session and at the same time learn to like or dislike group work
- 18. Cerebral Hemispheres - Right Brained or Left Brained And now for another viewpoint http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yE6VTvxkhFs
- 19. Strategies to maximize learning Present ideas in both verbal and non-verbal forms Ensure the physical environment is comfortable Watch for learners attention waning Try to provide activities that use both sides of the brain Laughter is good for learning Don’t be too quick to judge answers
- 20. Strategies to maximize learning Check in with your learners to see how they understood your information Understand and teach to all cognitive styles (Visual, Auditory, Kinesthetic & Kolbs Model)
- 21. Strategies to maximize learning Listening empathetically to the narratives told by adult learners about their own learning is an excellent way to find out the best way to facilitate their learning and affirm what they know and who they are
- 22. Summary I hope that you have enjoyed this very brief overview of the importance of the brain in attention and learning and that I have provided some useful strategies… I’ll check in with you Tuesday…