The Brain, The Mind, and Academics Chapter 5 The Brain, The Mind, and Academics

Essential Question: How do the human brain and mind work in order for learning to take place? TOPIC: Brain, mind and academica

Collegiate Performance The demonstration of your understanding and use of new information through a stylized set of performances Done by assessments which can include tests, projects presentations, performances, portfolios, group process, critiques, reflections, journals, etc.

Predicting the task What is the content What is the level of learning needed? Think of Bloom’s

Chapter 5 The Brain, The Mind, and Academics Mindsight is the term that Dr. Daniel J. Siegel coined to help us understand how we can harness the power of our minds for personal transformation. Mindsight is a kind of focused attention that allows us to see the internal workings of our own minds. It helps us to be aware of our mental processes without being swept away by them, enables us to get ourselves off the autopilot of ingrained behaviors and habitual responses, and moves us beyond the reactive emotional loops we all have a tendency to get trapped in. …The focusing skills that are part of mindsight make it possible to see what is inside, to accept it, and in the accepting to let it go, and, finally, to transform it.” 5

Physiological—the physical construction and processes of the brain. Information Processing—the flow of information (data) into the brain and what the individual does with that information in terms of learning and memory. Constructivism—the concept that individuals construct meaning from information based on their perceptions. 6

The Physical Brain Your brain uses 20% of your body’s energy, but it only makes up 2% of your body’s weight. Messages within your brain travel through trillions of neural connections at speeds of up to 250 miles per hour. Your brain generates 25 watts of power while you are awake--enough to illuminate a light bulb.

The adult brain (cerebral cortex) weighs approximately 3 lbs. In shape, the brain closely resembles a head of cauliflower; in size, it’s similar to a large grapefruit The adult brain (cerebral cortex) weighs approximately 3 lbs. The brain is mostly water (78%), fat (10%), and protein (8%). The wrinkles are part of the cerebral cortex (Latin for bark or rind) the brain’s outer covering (about as thick as an orange peel). If the cerebral cortex were laid out flat, it would be about the size of an unfolded single page of a newspaper. The brain’s texture is as gooey as raw eggs or yogurt.

Your brain weighs a few ounces more than your great-grandparent’s brain.

Neuron

We have approximately 100 billion neurons in our brain. Each neuron has a body and from that body grow dendrites. Each neuron has a long fiber, the axon. The myelin sheath covers the axon.

A body with fibers called dendrites brings information to the cell body. A long fiber (axon) with teledendrites takes info away from the cell body.

Glial cells produce myelin (white matter sheathing). Our brains have 500 billion - 1,000 billion glial cells. Glial cells produce myelin (white matter sheathing). Glial cells increase the speed of conduction in neurons. Glial cells contribute to the development and maintenance of connections between neurons

Neurotransmitters are chemicals that fill the terminal. Lock and Key Analogy – One type of receptor and only that type alone can admit it’s dedicated chemicals. Three groups of chemicals: Neurotransmitters (endorphin, dopamine, serotonin, etc.) Steroids Peptides A terminal is a tiny bulb found at the end of each axon (connection point). Neurotransmitters are chemicals that fill the terminal. Terminals allow dendrites and neurons to communicate. A synapse is a communication that happens between dendrites and neurons.

Self-confidence and interest help. Self-doubt and fear hurt. When the student feels confident, different chemicals flow into the synapses that make them work quickly and well. When the student feels unconfident or anxious, certain chemicals flow into the synapses to shut them down. Self-confidence and interest help. Self-doubt and fear hurt. Learning is enhanced by challenge and inhibited by threat.

Neuroplasticity occurs when the neural networks grow and adapt. The brain is in a constant state of change. Circuit pruning is the elimination of excess neurons and synapses; a natural process. Any one of a person’s 100 billion neurons could be connected to as many as 50,000 other neurons.

Stroop Test

Continuous partial attention—is staying aware of everything, but rarely focusing on any one thing. (Multitasking really doesn’t work.) Example: If we keep attending to instant messaging while studying and listening to music, then academic concentration, learning, and memory become more difficult.

Long Term Memory

Short Term Memory

Memory

Which is the MOST IMPORTANT factor in successful learning? The intention and desire that a student has to learn the material. Learning in a way that matches a student’s learning style. The time a student spends studying. What a student thinks about while studying. 23