Brain Based Learning

Training & Development, July, 2000 by Ruth Palombo Weiss

According to Carter, it seems that incoming information is split into several parallel paths within the brain, each of which is given a slightly different treatment depending on the route it takes. Information that's of particular interest to one side of the brain will activate that side more strongly than the other. You can see that happen in a brain scan: The side that's in charge of a particular task will light up while the matching area on the other side will glow more dully.

Geoffrey Caine reminds us that when we can connect rote memory with ordinary experience, we understand and make sense of things and remember more easily. To transfer information effectively, we need to see the relevance of what we're learning.

Motivation

Richard Restak, a neurobiologist, writes in his book The Brain: "Learning is not primarily dependent on a reward. In fact, rats -- as well as humans -- will consistently seek new experiences and behaviors with no perceivable reward or impetus. Experimental rats respond positively to simple novelty. Studies confirm that the mere pursuit of information can be valuable by itself and that humans are just as happy to seek novelty."

Robert Aitken at the Vancouver British Columbia Community College points out that we choose to stay motivated. "One of the things becoming clear is that our brains have been built for survival. That hasn't changed in 30,000 years. If something helps us survive, we're motivated to learn.

"Trainers have to find ways to convince learners that this is vital to their survival. If we get an emotional buy-in then learning takes place."

We can approach motivation from several different points of view, says Geoffrey Caine. "The distinction is between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. Intrinsic motivation has to do with what we want, need, and desire. It's deeply grounded in our values and feelings. Extrinsic motivation is often an attempt by someone else trying to make us want to do something. In terms of learning and creativity, we know there's a positive correlation between creativity and intrinsic motivation. When we're organizing information in our minds, the way we form patterns is deeply motivated by what we're interested in."

We have all heard the phrase Use it or lose it. That's the ultimate truth of the healthy brain's capability to learn, change, and grow as long as we're alive.

"The most exciting discovery about all of this work is that education should continue for a lifetime. With enrichment, we grow dendrites; with impoverishment, we lose them at any age," concludes Diamond.

Ruth Palombo Weiss is a freelance writer based in Potomac, Maryland; pivotal@erols.com

The Gist

* The human brain's interconnections exceed the Internet's by an astronomical number.

* Educators are increasingly relying on brain-based learning theory.

* imaging technologies such as MRIs are helping scientists understand memory, recall, and how the brain manages information and information overload.

A Few Brain Facts

* Weight: 3 pounds

* Shape: walnut