Brain-Based Learning Theory “The New Paradigm of Teaching” · Brain-Based Learning Theory: “The New Paradigm of Teaching” By: Dawn McGuckin & Mubeen Ladhani . The 1990 s was

Brain-Based Learning Theory: “The New Paradigm of Teaching”

By: Dawn McGuckin &

Mubeen Ladhani

Mubeen Ladhani

Sticky Note

The 1990’s was heralded as the “decade of the brain” and served as an impetus to investigate the elegance and complexity of the brain. From the explosion of neuroscience research, brain-based learning theory emerged as the new paradigm of teaching. It involves teaching with the brain in mind.

The Tale of Two Adult Online Learners

Brain-Based

Learning

Mubeen

Dawn

Online Learning

Environment

Adult Learners

AQs

Mubeen Ladhani

Sticky Note

Our current expectation for our learning environment differs significantly from how we perceived our learning environments in the past. We now seek meaningful learning experiences where our knowledge and insights are valued. Therefore, we used brain based learning theory, Neuroplasticity and andragogy to substantiate & inform our online learning experiences.

12 Principles of Brain-Based Learning & Neuroplasticity

The Brain is a parallel processor

Learning engages the

entire physiology

The search for meaning

is innate

The brain perceives &

creates parts & wholes

simultaneously

Emotions are critical

to patterning

The search for meaning occurs through

“patterning”

Our brains learn socially &

collaboratively

Learning = conscious & unconscious

processes

Memory = spatial memory & rote learning

systems Each brain is

unique

Ours brain

change based

upon

experiences

Understands &

remembers best

when facts/skills

embedded in

spatial memory

Neuroplasticity

Mubeen Ladhani

Sticky Note

We focused on four brain-based learning principles. They are: The brain searches for meaning and understanding, emotions are critical to learning by the brain, the brain socially constructs knowledge such as through collaboration, and that our brains changes based upon our experiences through neuroplasticity and lifelong learning.

The Brain Searches for Meaning & Understanding

Learning involves the creation of meaning

Authentic learning

experiences

The brain is always

engaged in the pursuit of

meaning

“Making Meaning”

Connecting Experiences:

Past & Present

Learning becomes

personalized &

relevant

Mubeen Ladhani

Sticky Note

Every human being is driven to search for meaning. To an adult learner it involves connecting experiences of both the past and present in an authentic learning environment. This allows for learning to become more personalized and relevant. Thus far, all of the material that we have been exposed to in this M.Ed program has respected our knowledge based and allowed us to make new and relevant connections.

The Brain Searches for Meaning & Understanding

Information is contextually embedded

Personalized frame of

reference

Intrinsic Motivation

Purpose-Values-Interests

reflected in learning

Anchors new

learning

Learn in situations that

are “true to real life”

Mubeen Ladhani

Sticky Note

Meaning is also generated when it is contextually embedded and true to real life. For instance, the amount of collaborative work that we do with our colleagues online is a skill we can transfer to the workplace. The creation of meaning also stimulates intrinsic motivation because the learning reflects the learner’s interest. For instance, we enrolled in this M.Ed program because we wanted to increase both our personal and professional growth.

Brain-Based Learning & Emotions

“Emotional Chemicals:”

adrenaline, serotonin,

& dopamine

Limbic System: “emotional brain”

&

Prefrontal Cortex: regulates

feelings/emotions Emotionally laden

experiences

&

storage + recall of information

Limbic System:

• Hypothalamus

• Amygdala

•Hippocampus

Prefrontal Cortex

Mubeen Ladhani

Sticky Note

Our emotions are produced by the limbic system and regulated by the prefrontal cortex. Our limbic system is also linked with learning and memory. Humans react and learn through the lens of emotional experiences and our limbic system also facilitates the storage and recall of information. In relation to neuroplasticity our emotions make our neuronal networks stronger via our emotional chemicals.

Brain-Based Learning & Emotions

“Our emotional system drives our attentional system

which drives learning & memory”

Emotions can either impede or

motivate learning

Emotional systems create motivation

Positive Emotions:

encourages acquisition & retention of

knowledge & state of “relaxed

alertness”

Negative Emotions:

inhibits the powers of reasoning &

logic + “student downshifting”

Mubeen Ladhani

Sticky Note

Our emotions can either impede or motivate learning. Positive emotions promote the development of knowledge such as participation in small group settings like breakout groups. Negative emotions can inhibit learning for examples we found that sometimes were more focused on what we were going to say versus concentrating on what was being said.

The Brain Socially Constructs Knowledge

“If brain-based pedagogy could be summed up in one sentence, it would be; Knowledge should be socially created.” (Cave, Ludwar & Williams, 2006, p. 3)

Collaboration is important in the adult online classroom for several reasons:

1) Group Work = synergy and creativity

Mubeen Ladhani

Sticky Note

As you can see from this quote that we came across, collaboration is quite important to brain based learning. We see its importance in several areas of the adult online classroom: 1) Much of online learning is based in group work – this creates synergy and a creativity that we may not experience on our own

The Brain Socially Constructs Knowledge

2) Accessibility

to Professors

3) Student Becomes Teacher

Instant Expert

Guidance

Solidification of Knowledge

=

Mubeen Ladhani

Sticky Note

2) Another benefit is the accessibility of professors anytime from within your own home. They can give guidance to questions or concerns and expert collaboration is very beneficial to learning. 3) Finally, in online learning we often present our new understandings to each other. When we teach others, we solidify our own grasp on the material.

Neuroplasticity & Lifelong Learning

Lifelong Learning

Reorganization of the Brain in a More Efficient

Manner

Quick to Adapt to New

Learning Situations

Stoppage of Processing

Speed Decline

‘Learning is the best prevention for old age.’

- Aristotle (OECD, 2007, p. 49)

Mubeen Ladhani

Sticky Note

Aristotle said, ‘learning is the best prevention for old age.’ This is great for us as adult learners in the online environment because we are lifelong learners. There are several advantages to this including: The reorganization of the brain in a more efficient manner Decrease in processing speed decline Ability to adapt more quickly to new learning situations


Neuroplasticity is aided through the ways in which learning occurs in the online environment.

+

“Neurons that fire together, wire together.” (Doidge, 2007, p. 63)

Mubeen Ladhani

Sticky Note

Neuroplasticity is aided through the ways in which learning occurs in the online environment. The first way being: ‘Neurons that fire together, wire together’ – In the online environment we can stimulate both the ears and eyes at the same time and this increases the likelihood we will remember the material presented.


Neuroplasticity occurs at a higher level when material is challenging.

i New

neurons!

Mubeen Ladhani

Sticky Note

2) Secondly, neuroplasticity occurs at a higher level when material is challenging. We are often presented with critical thinking questions and then asked to present our ideas via technologies we have never even used. This combination of new learning experiences creates a greater chance that new neuronal pathways will form.

Critique

Research should not be applied directly to the classroom.

Mubeen Ladhani

Sticky Note

We have found issues with these theories in the online environment 1) The first being, sometimes teachers will try to apply brain research directly to their classroom without fully understanding its implications. For example, just because research shows that using a SMART board may light up the memory centres in the brain, it does not mean that you should use only the SMART board for memory based learning tasks.

Critique

We learn best when we involve our whole body.

i i

Enhanced Learning

Mubeen Ladhani

Sticky Note

2) An important principal of brain based research is that we learn best through involving our whole bodies. The kinaesthetic aspect of learning is largely negated in the online environment but we are hopeful for what the future may bring.

Concluding Thoughts

Brain-based learning holds potential for a multitude of learning environments.

Mubeen Ladhani

Sticky Note

Brain based learning holds potential for a multitude of learning environments. We have certainly seen it’s applicability to the adult Online classroom.

Concluding Thoughts

We must be cognisant however that brain-based research is still a baby.

Mubeen Ladhani

Sticky Note

However, brain-based learning is still a baby compared to other educational theories and we need to be careful with its implementation in our classrooms. (We thought we would go for the awww factor here)

Mubeen Ladhani

Sticky Note

We thoroughly enjoyed researching this topic and we look forward to the future for what brain based learning can do in our own classrooms. Thanks for listening.

References Slide # 1 • http://feaweb.org/brain-based-learning-strategies • http://www.shapingyouth.org/?p=2071 • http://teachingwiththebraininmind.com/ • http://www.internettime.com/2009/12/use-your-brain/ • http://www.endocytosis.org/ImaginingTheBrain/NeuroArt2007/gallery.html Slide # 2 • http://www.cksinfo.com/electronics/computers/pcs/page2.html • http://www.thethinkingbusiness.co.uk/brain_tour.html • http://info.intesolv.com/free-trial/ • http://techgoggles.in/index.php/adobe-launched-web-conferencing-app-for-ios-and-android/ Slide # 3 • http://www.talkingpage.org/artic011.html

Slide # 4 • http://www.delta7.com/the-meaning-of-meaning/

Slide # 5 • http://robertafaulhaber.typepad.com/blog/2010/10/collective-intelligence-some-scientific-

evidence.html Slide # 6 • http://www.dana.org/news/cerebrum/detail.aspx?id=3026 • http://www.northernhighlands.org/712410710134232943/blank/browse.asp?A=383&BMDRN=2000&BC

OB=0&C=56455 • http://anguishedrepose.wordpress.com/2010/11/19/the-human-brain-has-more-switches-than-all-

computers-on-earth/

Slide # 7 • http://www.eruptingmind.com/emotional-brain-decision-making/

http://feaweb.org/brain-based-learning-strategies







http://www.shapingyouth.org/?p=2071

http://teachingwiththebraininmind.com/

http://www.internettime.com/2009/12/use-your-brain/





http://www.endocytosis.org/ImaginingTheBrain/NeuroArt2007/gallery.html

http://www.cksinfo.com/electronics/computers/pcs/page2.html

http://www.thethinkingbusiness.co.uk/brain_tour.html

http://info.intesolv.com/free-trial/



http://techgoggles.in/index.php/adobe-launched-web-conferencing-app-for-ios-and-android/

















http://www.talkingpage.org/artic011.html

http://www.delta7.com/the-meaning-of-meaning/







http://robertafaulhaber.typepad.com/blog/2010/10/collective-intelligence-some-scientific-evidence.html









http://www.dana.org/news/cerebrum/detail.aspx?id=3026

http://www.northernhighlands.org/712410710134232943/blank/browse.asp?A=383&BMDRN=2000&BCOB=0&C=56455

http://www.northernhighlands.org/712410710134232943/blank/browse.asp?A=383&BMDRN=2000&BCOB=0&C=56455

http://anguishedrepose.wordpress.com/2010/11/19/the-human-brain-has-more-switches-than-all-computers-on-earth/





















http://www.eruptingmind.com/emotional-brain-decision-making/







References Slide # 8 http://www.dreamstime.com/royalty-free-stock-photography-brain-idea-image15024897 Slide #9 http://www.pdk-ut.ca/news/news_2005.php http://www.freemason-wa.org/ http://www.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://www.ece.nus.edu.sg/stfpage/elecsj/teaching.gif&imgrefurl Slide # 10 http://scrapetv.com/News/News%20Pages/Business/pages-3/MGM-owners-mulling-sale-on-eBay-deadlocked-on-shipping-costs-

Scrape-TV-The-World-on-your-side.html Slide # 11 http://www.shoutingatco.ws/blog/2009/07/22/ears-day-types-of-ear/ Dawn McGuckin - Facebook Slide # 12 http://www.edupics.com/coloring-page-thinking-i10044.html http://ithirewire.com/personal-perspectives/cell-phones-ipods-and-a-venti-zen-tea-from-starbucks.html Slide # 13 http://classic-horror.com/reviews/brain_that_wouldnt_die_1962 http://esl.amdsb.ca/low-german-resources/student-resources/ Slide # 14 http://16thstreetj.wordpress.com/2008/08/20/used-book-sale-this-sunday/ http://www.crystaludavis.com/ Slide # 15

http://learningcommons.ubc.ca/get-started/learning-environments/ http://www.sealund.com/eLearning.php http://bilingual-education.fr/bilingualprimaryschool.html Slide # 16

http://www.cybergecko.com/njpabga/njpabga.htm Slide # 17 http://www.brainpersonalityconnection.com/Thank-You!.html http://kmedge.org/cgi-bin/mt/mt-search.cgi?tag=KMconference&blog_id=1

http://www.dreamstime.com/royalty-free-stock-photography-brain-idea-image15024897














http://www.pdk-ut.ca/news/news_2005.php




http://www.freemason-wa.org/




http://www.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://www.ece.nus.edu.sg/stfpage/elecsj/teaching.gif&imgrefurl

http://www.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://www.ece.nus.edu.sg/stfpage/elecsj/teaching.gif&imgrefurl

http://scrapetv.com/News/News Pages/Business/pages-3/MGM-owners-mulling-sale-on-eBay-deadlocked-on-shipping-costs-Scrape-TV-The-World-on-your-side.html




































http://www.shoutingatco.ws/blog/2009/07/22/ears-day-types-of-ear/










http://www.edupics.com/coloring-page-thinking-i10044.html







http://ithirewire.com/personal-perspectives/cell-phones-ipods-and-a-venti-zen-tea-from-starbucks.html






















http://classic-horror.com/reviews/brain_that_wouldnt_die_1962




http://esl.amdsb.ca/low-german-resources/student-resources/







http://16thstreetj.wordpress.com/2008/08/20/used-book-sale-this-sunday/









http://www.crystaludavis.com/

http://learningcommons.ubc.ca/get-started/learning-environments/






http://www.sealund.com/eLearning.php

http://www.sealund.com/eLearning.php

http://bilingual-education.fr/bilingualprimaryschool.html




http://www.cybergecko.com/njpabga/njpabga.htm

http://www.brainpersonalityconnection.com/Thank-You!.html




http://kmedge.org/cgi-bin/mt/mt-search.cgi?tag=KMconference&blog_id=1






Documents

Brain-Based Learning Theory “The New Paradigm of Teaching” · Brain-Based Learning Theory: “The New Paradigm of Teaching” By: Dawn McGuckin & Mubeen Ladhani . The 1990 s was