How Teaching Changes the Brain

TIRP III May 11, 2013

Barbara A. Toney

Do you get sick of hearing:

“Why do I have to learn this” and “When am I ever going to use this?”

Coming up: The definitive answer to these questions that will stop them from asking them ever again.

Major concepts• Good, bad, short-term or long-term, something is

always happening in kids’ brains.

• The choices you make as an educator will be a major influence on students- good or bad.

• You can only make good choices when you are informed about which

ones matter the most.

Answer Search• Your Task: Fill in the Blanks on

your Notes• How? Every 30 seconds find a new

partner (just one) and exchange answers.

• Repeat to completion

Guess Which FactorsActually Change Our Brains?

Bad moods Playing an InstrumentDistress Daily WalksLearning DiabetesMusic Gene ExpressionTrauma Watching TVNutrition Hands on ScienceExercise BoredomMedications Sleep

Old (outdated) ParadigmOld (outdated) Paradigm

““Our brains stay Our brains stay mostly the same. mostly the same.

Except we lose brain cellsExcept we lose brain cells every day.” every day.”

(this is old and mostly wrong)(this is old and mostly wrong)

““Our brains stay Our brains stay mostly the same. mostly the same.

Except we lose brain cellsExcept we lose brain cells every day.” every day.”

(this is old and mostly wrong)(this is old and mostly wrong)

A New View of the Human Brain

The human brain is dynamic, not fixed.The brain (depending on your age) is:• making connections • adding new neurons • pruning excess neurons • allowing neurons to die • changing its chemistry • re-organizing itself every single day!

Cell Structure

Brain Chemistry

Neurogenesis

Cell Survival/Function

Brain Activity

Gene Expression

Blood Flow

Teaching Changes Cell Structures (length & volume)

Jacobs, et al., 1993

Learning Experiences Physically Learning Experiences Physically Alter Student Brain CellsAlter Student Brain Cells

Dendrites Add “Spines” asDendrites Add “Spines” asResponse to Environmental InputResponse to Environmental Input

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Teaching Changes How Cells Connect

Simple to Complex

From simple to complex neural networks; that’s

the process when we

develop expert knowledge in a

topic

Learning Changes Location of Blood Flow in Our Brains

Note changes in activation L-R in subjects learning to play a game

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Activities and Exercise Change the Brain

Standing,Standing, a Simple Activity, a Simple Activity,Increases CirculationIncreases Circulation

(which improves cognition)(which improves cognition)

Nearly any kind of activity that boosts circulation also improvesbrain function and cognitionVaynman S, and Gomez-Pinilla (2006)

Neurogenesis Neurogenesis (the production of (the production of brand new brain cells)brand new brain cells) is… is…

Enhanced by:• Exercise • Complex Environments• New Learning• Prosocial Contact• Nutrition• Low Stress

Reduced by:• Distress• Inactivity• Boredom• Depression• Poor Nutrition• Isolation & Low Social StatusP.S. Teachers can influence many of these factors!

Dots and Boxes

• . . .

. . .

. . .

Groups of 4

• As a group, create a list of 10 clever ways to put more movement into your classroom.

Teachers Influence Student Stress Levels

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Stress alters neuron growth

Healthy Stressed

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Distress Affects Distress Affects NeuronsNeurons

Dendrites taken from rat PFC show effects.

How much (time) How much (time) exposure to distress exposure to distress would you predict it would you predict it would take for would take for neurons to wither neurons to wither as shown?as shown?

a) 2 hrs./day/60 days a) 2 hrs./day/60 days b) 30 min./day…7 wksb) 30 min./day…7 wksc) 1 hr./day…10 weeksc) 1 hr./day…10 weeksd) 10 min./day…5 daysd) 10 min./day…5 days

(Brown et al. 2005) Control Stressed

Acute Stress Inhibits the Production of Neurons

Social Status Strongly Influences the Brain

Social Status and the BrainSocial experiences

throughout life influence gene expression,

dendritic remodeling, brain chemistry, heart

rate and behavior. However, during our early years, these influences have a

particularly profound effect.

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Teachers Strongly Influence Student Social Status

How? Through

affirmation, drama, teams,

recognition, cooperative

learning, positive feedback, skill-

building and giving responsibility and leadership roles

Neurotransmitters that May Influence Behaviors

Serotonin (“Ahhh”) Low levels linked with depression

and/or aggression. Moderate levels linked like relaxation, optimal mood and

enhanced working memory.Dopamine (“Ya-hoo!”)

Low levels linked with cognitive and motor problems. Moderate levels linked like elevated mood and better memory.

Source: Wurtman

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Teachers Influence Student Feelings of Safety & Well-being;

Which Lowers Stress

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Teachers Influence the Release of Dopamine, Which Boosts Feelings of Pleasure

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Teachers Can Orchestrate Success, Positive Feedback and Collaboration

Odds and Evens• Take pen and paper. Pair

with another “Odd” or “Even”. • In your pair come up with 5

ways you can manipulate student serotonin, dopamine and cortisol levels in your classroom.

• Combine with another pair, compare lists and add ones you are missing.

The New Understandingof the Role of Teachers

Teachers can teach in ways that make powerful and positive changes in the brains of their students!Teachers shapebrains!

What can I do Tomorrow?