“The Benefits of a Brain-Compatible Education”

Tammy DukesEDU 417 Cognitive Studies Capstone

Instructor: Maureen LienauApril 26,2015

Presentation PurposeThe purpose of this presentation is to introduce brain-

compatible learning to educators.

Explain and demonstrate with brain-compatible learning strategies along with neuroscientific principles for classroom use.

Give explanation and sound reason how both educators and students can benefit from brain compatible learning.

Hello All…

I’m Tammy Dukes, I’m 29 years old and live in Orrville, Alabama. I’m in my senior year at Ashford University and my major is Cognitive Studies Psychology and my minor is Social and Criminal Justice . During my studies at Ashford I was introduced to brain-compatible learning and have intents for using this method and its strategies in my future career path when confronting human behavior and actions. I hope to become a Substance Abuse counselor once completing my degree.

I’ve worked as a print model for the last 5 years and traveled quite a bit so online education was the best choice for me. I’m in my final week of class and graduation is at my fingertips!!

Brain-Compatible Learning (Overview)To understand how brain-compatible learning works one must

start by fully comprehending what exactly is meant by “brain-compatible” learning.

Brain-compatible learning is simply the function of the working brain in response to the educational environment /surrounding one encounters.

“Brain-based education is best understood in three words: engagement, strategies, and principles. Brain-based education is the "engagement of strategies based on principles derived from an understanding of the brain" (Jenson, 2008, p.4).

Allowing neuroscience to correspond to classroom lessons to teach diverse learners as each student learns differently. This simply allows more than one way of teaching the material.

Comparison & Contrast Learning Traditional learning Brain-compatible

learningEducator stands before the

entire classroom and demonstrates a verbal lecture

Educator teaches the exact same lesson in only one way. (Uses old teaching style from previous classes for several students)

Provides students with limited ways to display understanding of learning (usually limits students to complete a written assignment or quiz)

Provides students an opportunity to work with others within groups to exchange ideas and boost energy levels

Students are able to work at their own pace which allows work accuracy. Neuroscience places focus on the time frame a lesson is taught and learned

Different assessments can be given to demonstrate true understanding of what is taught and what is learned

Factor That Impacts Learning: Behavior

Behavior plays a vital role in how a person learns as it signifies how one conducts him/herself .

Genetic makeup and the surrounding environment can influence behavior (both good & bad)

Keeping in mind that behavior is not always the case of an automatic reaction but it is a reaction that may be taught and learned. Example(s) include teaching/learning walking and talking

Factor That Impacts Learning: Neurotransmitters

Neurotransmitters: impact behavior by allowing one to grasp and compose feelings about learning. “Neurotransmitters acts as chemical messengers that allow communication to occur between neurons and body cells (Wolfe, 2010).

There are various neurotransmitters working together to perform specific duties. “Examples include serotonin, dopamine, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), norepinephrine, and acetylcholine, among many others. These molecules are key factors in a wide range of behaviors” (Narvaes & Martins de Almeida, 2014).

Factor That Impacts Learning: EnvironmentThe environment in which a child encounters has a

huge impact on his/her learning behavior. Home and classrooms often provide learning

opportunities for children but beware that these two different environments may result in two different displayed personas from learners.

A prime example of demonstrated persona in learners: Teachers may consult parents for a meeting as the learner disrupted the class with bad behavior. However, parents may find this hard to believe as the child may be the perfect angel at home.

Factor That Impacts Learning: Neuroplasticity

Neuroplasticity refers to the brain and how it psychologically adapts to change in one’s surroundings. It primarily is known as the ability for the brain to “re-wire” or “re-direct” itself so that one is better able to adjust to his/her surroundings.

Learning: Neuroplasticity and Movement“Movement is created from a connection between

the mind & body and the brain has sensory maps that control how to move, when to move, and where to move which in turn lets you know that our neural brain maps change. Neuroplasticity allows this change in the brain so that we are better able to process what it going on around us and how to adapt to it. In classrooms, neuroplasticity can be used to help teachers create an environmental that allows students to easily adapt to for cognitive and physical learning” (Dukes, 2015).

Learning: Neuroplasticity and SleepNeurons within the brain have been stated to not be

recreated but instead altered and reused to maintain proper brain function. Sleep is vital to help keep stress levels lowered and anger reduced.

“A general consensus states that sleep is strictly linked to memory, learning, and the mechanisms of neural plasticity, and that this link may directly affect recovery processes but the exact nature of this has not been cleared (Hindawi Publishing, 2013).

With proper sleep habits, memory can regain restoration and learning patterns can be formed in classrooms

Learning: Neuroplasticity and Nutrition Mention of nutrition may instantly give thought

to eating and food. As so, nutrition plays role to overall health which is an ideal candidate needed for focus and learning.

Lack of nutrition may result in learning disabilities. Learning to grasp material, memorize, and even utilize problem solving skills may prove of difficulty for learners.

Neurogenesis may be greatly affected when school and home meals contain high amounts of saturated fats

Learning: Neuroplasticity and TechnologyTechnology allows learning in schools and also

to go beyond the classroom. Classrooms use technology such as computers,

projectors, and DVD players to help learners of all types (visual, auditory, and kinesthetic) and not just one type of learner.

While technology allows learning advancement, it has also been blamed as being a classroom distraction to learning. However, technology can be used to make learning fun therefore leading to less distraction and more class participation

Benefit of Brain-Compatible SettingsBrain-compatible settings make learning

easier and more enjoyable without losing the purpose of the lesson, to learn! Students learn in different ways and by having more than one setting for learning, this allows overall individual growth. The brain is allowed the chance to use natural development to learn.

Stress free environments allow learners to have the much needed tools to cope with the surroundings they have been given to learn in

The Information-Processing Model This involves the processing and retaining of

information.Educator has to introduce material to learner and upon

doing so can witness expression (if learner seems interested, excited, or bored)

Educators present material in a variety of ways (introduce, class participation, group/individual assignment, homework). Learner’s working memory is being used to process information during class periods.

Checking for student understanding demonstrates whether or not a learner’s memory stored or dropped the information being displayed in class

Modified Lesson Plan/BrainrushI have modified a lesson plan and created an

interactive brain compatible game for learners to use in classrooms.

Both the modified lesson plan and game support brain-compatible learning as they allow repetition and active engagement with the lesson at hand.

You may locate the game here at http://www.brainrush.com/lesson/full-bucket

You may view my modified lesson plan here: http://misstammydukes.weebly.com/-brain-compatible-strategies

Summary: Brain-Compatible For Educators &Learners

Brain-compatible techniques are beneficial for students and teachers as teaching and learning go hand in hand. One simply is no good without the other therefore, if brain-compatible learning is beneficial to learning it also must be beneficial to teaching. A teacher-student relationship is vital.

Teachers lay the foundation for students to learn. Brain-compatible techniques give educators the chance to learn each student’s individual needs and teach each student accordingly while allowing student’s to guide their own learning pace.

Brain-compatible techniques are practiced off science, proven research that works, and require teachers to teach in a variety of way just as students learn, in a variety of ways

References Dukes, Tammy (2015) “Environmental and Chemical Factors” Retrieved from: Week 2 PowerPoint Presentation

Hindawi Publishing Corporation (2013) “Is Sleep Essential for Neural Plasticity in Humans, and How Does It Affect Motor and Cognitive Recovery?” Retrieved from: http://www.hindawi.com/journals/np/2013/103949 /

Jensen, E. P. (2008, October 1). A fresh look at brain-based education. Florida Association of School Administrators. Retrieved from http://www.fasa.net/upload_documents/neuroplasticity10.29.pdf

Narvaes, Rodrigo, & Martins de Almeida, Rosa Maria, (Jun-Dec, 2014) “Aggressive behavior and three neurotransmitters: dopamine, GABA, and serotonin—A review of the last 10 years.” Retrieved from: http://web.b.ebscohost.com.proxy-library.ashford.edu/ehost/detail/detail?vid=3&sid=22947089-93df-49ab-a104-565da23a969d%40sessionmgr112&hid=118&bdata=JkF1dGhUeXBlPWlwLGNwaWQmY3VzdGlkPXM4ODU2ODk3JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=pdh&AN=2014-56250-020

Wolfe, P. (2010). Brain matters: Translating research into classroom practice. (2nd ed.). Alexandria,VA: Association for Supervision & Curriculum Development