What is Brain-Based Learning?

“Brain-Based Education is the purposeful engagement of strategies based on principles derived from solid scientific research.”

Research in related fields such as social neuroscience, psychoimmunology, behavioral genetics, psychobiology, cognitive science, neuroscience and physiology also play a role.

Brain-Based Learning is also the application of a meaningful group of principles that represent our understanding of how our brain works in the context of education.

Brain-Based Learning is simply the engagement of strategies based on body/mind/brain research..

Brain-Based Learning is not a panacea or magic bullet to solve all of education’s problems. Anyone who represents that to others is misleading them. There is not yet a “one size fits all” brain-based program, model or package for schools to follow.

What Does a Brain-Based Teacher Do?

A brain compatible teacher teaches with the brain in mind.

This educator understands the principles and uses strategies in a purposeful way. This path is all about an educator who understands the reasoning behind their teaching. It is also one who stays constantly updated through continuous professional development.

Examples of Brain-Based Learning Applications

Evidence suggests that stress is a significant factor in creativity, memory, behavior and learning. Teachers who purposely manage stress factors (purposefully decrease or increase stress) in class are likely to experience a positive classroom environment. There are many ways to decrease stress in the classroom, such as integrating stretching exercises, incorporating recess, teaching coping skills, and utilizing physical education.

Evidence suggests that moderate glucose levels enhance learner’s memory-making. Since glucose can be enhanced through food, stimulating emotions and physical activity, teachers can manage their instructional strategies so that students can better maintain moderate glucose levels. This strategy can help students form stronger memories.

How can neuroscience help us in the classroom? First, here’s the brief background. In the late 1990’s, several neuroscientists were running experiments with rats. That’s no big news story; it happens every day. But these scientists were linking the feeding of the rats to a specific frequency with every day’s food. The big news story was that after four weeks of “conditioning” the rats, their auditory cortex literally changed and remapped itself. In fact, it changed SO much that the rats added MORE space in their brain that was sensitive to the specific frequency of the tone they heard when food arrived! Brains can and do change, if you know how to do it!

So where’s the school and classroom connection? That research told the scientists that specific types of stimulus could physically alter the brain. All they had to do was to create products which could alter the signals coming to the brains of students. They did this and invented 1) the cochlear implant and 2) the FastForword® reading program.  The programs are so effective that  students can achieve 1-2 years of reading gains in just 40-60 hours with this brain-based learning program. Now that’s a great application of neuroscience. Go to their website and check it out!  CLICK HERE.

Be Sure to Keep in Mind…

Brain-based teaching is all about smarter, more purposeful teaching that can reach a greater number of students.

It’s not any one single thing you do. It’s more about the on-going, purposeful aggregate of environment, instruction and curriculum strategies that makes it all work.

One of the best ways to learn about it is through participation in one of the Jensen Learning Brain Based Learning Workshops. Why? Eric Jensen is one of the few presenters that actually practices what he preaches. You will get to see, hear and experience the actual strategies in action. This not only allows you to see HOW to do it, but lets you decide whether it’s for you or not.

To find out more check our Brain-Based Learning Bookstore or check out our Brain Based Learning Blog… or our new Brain Based Learning Forum

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Jensen Learning Workshops Provide Classroom-Proven, Freshly-Researched, 100% Brain-Based Teaching Strategies For The Learning Brain: