Stephanie Rudnicki ED 201-03 10/01/09 Brain Based Learning

The article, How Julies Brain Learns, discusses new information in

neuroscience and its possible application in education. It has been understood that teaching does not always result in learning; however, through new studies of the brain, educators are better able to understand how learning is reinforced while also discovering how to avoid techniques which hinder educational growth. ! Educators must rst consider their students neural histories. Each childs brain is

uniquely shaped by his or her life experiences, making every students learning style distinct from the others. Students are also affected by the context in which they learn. When a student does not feel emotionally or physically comfortable in the classroom, it is difcult for that student to concentrate on learning. ! Teachers must then consider how students acquire knowledge. It is important

that students are given time to comprehend what they have been taught while prior knowledge is strengthened. Another method of strengthening learning is to provide elaborated feedback for the student. Though one-on-one time is hard to manage in large classes, students can receive feedback from multiple sources such as peers, group discussions, and assignments. Finally, educators must ensure that students retain, or encode, information that they have learned. Encouraging healthy sleeping and eating habits is just one way that teachers can help students easily recall information.

Brain based learning is a helpful tool to have within any classroom. By examining

the ways in which people learn, the educator is reminded that every individual learns differently. Brain based learning also fosters multiple styles of teaching to support the multiple ways in which students learn, helping to keep the classroom more engaging for students. I particularly liked that brain based learning encourages students to seek information independently while building upon knowledge through the support and feedback of peers.