1. Review of chapters 1 & 2 Comparison of brain and forest Education reform  what to do? Pros and cons of brain-based learning Multipath learning Uniqueness of brain Characteristics of left and right brain preference….

2. How the Brain Learns Jensen, Chapter 3

3. Basic Brain Anatomy Weights @ 3 lbs.  size = large grapefruit –78% water –10 % fat –8% protein –Flesh colored –Can be cut with a knife –Largest portion = cerebrum Made up of million of brain cells Divided into two hemispheres Right side controls the left side Left side controls the right side Responsible for higher order thinking and decision making functions –Outer surface of our brain = cortex Thickness of an orange peel When opened = size of a sheet of paper

4. Lobes of the Human Brain Occipital Lobes Visual and visual interpretation Initial phase of reading Images from the retina to the optic nerve Then to the visual cortex Each neuron process one aspect of vision Temporal Lobes Divided into clusters Give us abilities to: –produce and understand speech –Recognize objects and faces –Recall long term cognitive memories –Modulate emotions

5. –Parietal Lobes Area of the brain in which we live Allow us to experience our surroundings Process higher sensory information (touch, judgment of texture, shapes and our body orientation in space) –Frontal Lobes Allows you to be who you are Judgment is processed Goal setting Creativity Working memory Produces motion of speech Ideas and emotions

6. Mid-Brain Area (limbic system) Thalamus Complex structure that performs vital functions Gateway to the cerebral cortex  process all sensations except olfatory one As sensory information comes in, thalamus attempts to organize, categorize and transfer to the appropriate areas of the cerebral cortex

7. –Hypothalamus Regulates primitive functions of the brain Controls the autonomic nervous system Regulates homeostasis  body’s ability to maintain internal environment by adjusting the temperature and energy Monitors hydration –Hippocampus Referred to as gateway to memory Plays an integral role in processing consolidating all cognitive memories Information is relayed from the thalamus to the hippocampus where it is compared with previous learning and experiences before it is transferred to the working memory  meaningfulness Only responsibility is tagging facts of information Neurons in this area grow as result of exercise (physical and mental)

8. –Amygdala Buried deep in the temporal lobe Highly involved in responding to stress and novel situations Mediates all emotionally charged experiences Brain Cells Glial cells = interneurons Outnumber neurons Serve in supportive role Maintain the ideal environment for neurons to flourish Producers of myelin for axons Transport nutrients Help in immune system

9. Neurons (100 billions) Help us be aware of changes in the environment Communicate these changes to other neurons to alter body’s responses and sensations It receives signals or impulse Process these signals Transmit them to other neurons This makes them flourish or grow Has only one axon and several dendrites Axons and dendrites talk to each other To communicate with other cells, the axon subdivides and branches out The dendrites send information to the cell body and moves out through Functions of the axon: 1) conduct information (electrical stimulation) 2) transport chemical substances

11. Learning Insights –Learning physically changes the brain –By altering the wiring and our chemistry –New stimuli activates new path ways –If stimulus not meaningful, information is given less priority and eventually forgotten (in sleep) –If considered important  long term potentiation (LTP) –“Window of opportunities” –Cognitive maps = connections –Genes are not templates for learning, but they represent enhanced risk or opportunities

12. Learning Factors –No blank slate  brain full of experiences –Plasticity  shaping and changing in the brain –Learning influences: Nutrition Peers Brain dysfunction Prior learning/experience Temperament and character genes Instructional Climate Cerebral Engagement Abundant Connections Neural Practice

13. Stages of Learning Preparation  priming pre-exposure (1) Acquisition  Direct and Indirect Learning (2) Elaboration  error correction and depth (3) Memory Formation  Rest, emotions, associations encode learning (4) Functional Integration  Extended Usage Class, give an example of each stage