Describe brain activity during learning

How do the parts of the brain communicate?

The brain is a communication center consisting of billions of neurons, or nerve cells. Networks

of neurons pass messages back and forth among different structures within the brain, the spinal

cord, and nerves in the rest of the body (the peripheral nervous system). These nerve networks

coordinate and regulate everything we feel, think, and do. The ways in which brain cells

communicate are:

Neuron to Neuron - Nerve cells in the brain sends and receives messages in the form of

electrical and chemical signals from one neuron to another

Neurotransmitters - The Brain's Chemical Messengers. The messages are carried

between neurons by chemicals called neurotransmitters.

Receptors - The Brain's Chemical Receivers. The neurotransmitter attaches to a receptor

site on the receiving neuron. A neurotransmitter and its receptor operate like a “key and

lock” mechanism that ensures that each receptor will forward the appropriate message,

only after interacting with the right kind of neurotransmitter.

Transporters - The Brain's Chemical Recyclers. Located on the neuron that releases the

neurotransmitter, transporters recycle these neurotransmitters (that is, bring them back

into the neuron that released them), thereby shutting off the signal between neurons.

Figure 1: Brain cell communication (Drugabuse.gov, 2015)

How does learning happen?

Through those various ways in which brain nerve cells communicate mentioned above, sensory

information is transmitted via synapses along the neural pathway and stored temporarily in short-

term memory.

Short term memory - a volatile region of the brain that acts like a receiving center for the flood

of sensory information we encounter in our daily lives. 

Once processed in short-term memory, our brain’s neural pathways carry these where they are

stored in our long-term memory

Long term memory - the vast warehouse of everything we have ever experienced in our

lives.  This process occurs in an instant.  

Figure 2: Synapse Across Two Neurons (Trainingindustry.com, 2015)

Figure 3: Neurotransmiter release across synapses (National Institute on Aging, 2015)

In fact, as information races across billions of neurons’ axons, which transmit signals to the next

neuron via synapse, some degradation is common.  That’s why many of our memories are

incomplete or include false portions that we make up to fill holes in the real memory. 

Neuroscientists have long believed that learning and memory formation are made by the

strengthening and weakening of connections among brain cells. This theory is called

neuroplasticity.

Neuroplasticity is defined as the selective organizing of connections between neurons in our

brains in order to learn a certain activity or help improve memory. This theory is still being

revised.

What does this neuroscience research suggest about learning? 

 We need to ensure that learning engages all the senses and taps the emotional side of the brain,

through methods like humor, storytelling, group activities and games.  Emphasis on the rational

and logical alone does not produce powerful memories. 

The table below summarizes the three recent research findings and their implications for training.

Table 1: Learning Implications of Brain Science

Recent Brain Research Finding Implications for Learning

Frequency and recency of neuron synapses

increase memory

Increase frequency through practice and

maintain fluency through use

Emotions strengthen memory Appeal to and engage emotions while learning

Learning causes changes to the physical

structure of the brain

Engaging in learning increases our ability to

learn throughout our lives

Memories are stored in multiple parts of the

brain

Engage all senses when learning

Our brains are programmed to focus on new

and unusual inputs

Learning should tap into the brain’s natural

curiosity and intrinsic motivation

 

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BioEd Online,. (2015). The Learning Brain: Neuroscience. Retrieved 4 November 2015, from

http://www.bioedonline.org/lessons-and-more/resource-collections/the-learning-brain-

neuroscience/