Week 1: Learning and the Brain

Welcome to my first blog. This is all very new to me. I am sure with practice I will get a lot better at it.

After listening to the audio video presented by Dr Judy Willis, I was amazed at how little I knew about the brain and how we learn. It was very insightful and the information I learned from this video can be useful when applying teaching strategies to the classroom.

How the brain processes information and what information the brain allows through to the Limbic System and the Amygdala was intriguing. First the Reticular Activating System (RAS) see’s what is new, what has changed and what is different. I had no idea that our brains filter the information we receive and allows only certain information past the RAS. The RAS gives priority to stressful information first, then information that is new and different. When I heard this, my first reaction was WOW, this is fascinating.

How the brain first receives and processes information got me thinking. If we as teachers create a classroom that is a stress free or limit the amount of stress in the classroom, the information we are passing on to our students is more likely to be retained. This was mentioned later in the video by Dr. Judy Willis.

Source: www.dailygood.org

When I found this picture on the meditating kids, I thought this strategy could be used in the classroom. By getting the students to participate in this kind of activity before a lesson, we can aim to distress and calm the students, and then focus the student’s attention on the lesson content. This is an activity I would like to try in the classroom and to see if it has a positive effect on the students.

Once the RAS had determined what information it will process, it was interesting to see the next step in the process of the brain function and how we learn. We are more likely to retain information if there is a positive interest, relevant to us and can bring us pleasure. The reactive brain has three functions, fight, flight or freeze. I can see how stress, boredom, non-engagement and frustration can be a cause of behavioral issues in the classroom and this can stem from the function of the brain. To now have some knowledge of how the rain works and how we learn, it gives me greater insight into why students may react to various strategies in the classroom. Now knowing that stress inhibits students learning capacities, I can now look for strategies that can reduce stress, engage and captivate students.

Source: www.skeptikai.com

“If you are not prepared to be wrong, you’ll never come up with anything original” (Sir Ken Robinson). This quote stood out after watch the video on Do Schools Kill Creativity by Sir Ken Robinson. I know from past experience in the workplace that being wrong is not acceptable. We learn from our mistakes and by learning from our mistakes we improve physically and mentally. I agree with Sir Robinson’s theory that creativity is just as important as literacy. Our students today are growing up in a society where having a University Degree is not a unique qualification, a majority of people of have University Qualifications today. When I was at school, I remember hearing all the time that getting into University was the most important goal we as students should be focused on. Education is an important aspect of life today. As our students, and us as teachers, have no idea what the future will hold I believe it is important to allow students to be creative and think outside the box. As Sir Ken Robinson said in the video we need to’ educate students whole being’.

Learning Theories:

Source: www.sringsmuth.com

 

Source: https://hellowildan.wordpress.com

Behaviorism: Learning through repetition that leads to a behavior change.

Cognitivism: Learning is understanding the concept and seeing the big picture, not just the pieces.

Constructivism: Creating their own knowledge through experience. Trying to see how things work.

 

Source: etec.ctlt.ubc.ca

Connectivism: Making connections to learn. Learning through different types of contact.

 

After learning about the brain and how we learn, I can see how all four learning theories play a part in how we teach our students. As students all have varying learning styles, all the four theories can be used in the classroom to engage students. 

References:

Mediating Kids - retrieved. www.dailygood.org

Left Brain Vs Right - retrieved. www.skeptikai.com/2012/01/19/left-brain-vs-right-brain-learning-styles/

Learning Theories - retrieived. www.sringsmuth.com/foundations-educational-technology/learning-theroies-visual-diagram/

e-Learning Theory - Communal Constructivism - retrieved. https://hellowildan.workpress.com/2012/03/074/e-lerning-theory-communal-constuctivism/

Connectivism - retrieved. etec.ctlt.ubc.ca/510wiki/Situating_Connectivism