EDUC 2130

Lesson Discussion Four

 

Lesson four involved students answering questions based on the human brain. Student's listened to a podcast and learned how the human brain functions and ways to maximize learning.

 

Lesson Question 1. What are some basic findings concerning the brain mentioned by Anita?

 

Neurons, which are nerve cells, send out message to branches who will communicate with other branches thru small spaces called synapsis. Chemical messages are exchanged back-and-to between these branches and help in retaining and accessing memory. There are millions of branches and thousands of synapsis. Children have the most synapsis and branches but over time they begin to decrease in number due to lack of use. Certian synapsis will be used much more than others and they will become a habit of accessing. This can be harmful to retaining knowlegde.

 

Lesson Question 2. What does Anita mean when she says "Use it or Lose it?"

 

Synapsis, which are triggers to memory, work better the more they are used. Not ony are synapsis accessed easier if the are used often, but symapsis that go a period of time without being "triggered" or "hit" will begin to wilt and eventually will "prune" and disappear. Once gone it is impossible to regain use of these synapsis. This gives an important definition to they saying, "Use it or Lose it."

 

Lesson Question 3. Why does Anita mention Taxi drivers in the podcast?

 

In studies conducted on the brain of taxi drivers it was discovered that the hippocampus portion of their brain was larger than other individuals. It can be explained thru the constant use of this portion of the brain to help aid in navigating thru the city. The size of it can even be compared to the amount of time ones has been driving a taxi. Newer taxi drivers hippocampus was not nearly as large as seasoned drivers.

 

Lesson Question 4. According to the podcast, why is it important to learn different methods in solving math problems?

 

When learning a new subject or topic it is important to use different strategies and versions of the subject. By doing so one is interconnect all the knowledge they are retaining and not depending on just one area if the brain. This becomes vital if one area of the brain is not working. If other methods had not been taught or studied then that knowledge would have be lost. However by using as many channels as possible thru different teaching allowed memory to easily be triggered and results in stronger knowledge.

 

Lesson Question 5. Explain "Bloom's Taxonomy".

 

Bloom's Taxonomy is a system of classification whose categories define different levels of human cognitive development. Originally it was classified into three main domains which included Cognitive, Pyschomotor, and Affective. Educators have focused mainly on the cognitive division. Cognitive can be broken into six major categories. These are: Knowledge, Comprehension, Application, Analysis, Synthesis, and Evaluation. In order to display a hierachical it is often displayed in a pyramiad view with the first three on the bottom and the last three on the top, showing a higher importance.

 

Summary

 

The podcast and article were very educational. It made me question ways in which I, myself, retain and access knowledge. I tend to stick to what is comfortable to be whether it be a way of learning or a way of teaching. After learning that synapsis wilt and disappear after not being used I see the importance of making it a priority to store knowledge in different ways. It will be extremely important to incorporate this into my classroom thru use of different teaching methods.

 

Research Question

 

What are different teaching methods that can be used to maximize brain activity?

 

References

 

http://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/profdev/profdev156.shtml

 

Research Analysis

 

The success of a good teacher is directly associated with the success of their students. According to researchers teaching thru color improve a childs memory of the imforamtion being presented to them, whether it be colored markers, colored paper, or colored models. Other fun ways to present information can include: storytelling, humor, games, and movement. These teaching strategies can be alone or together to maximize the learning environment.

Extremly popular in today's classroom, storytelling, often touches students emotions. These emotions help to spark activity in the center of the brain as well as the hippocamous. Another teaching strategy that will spark the emotional potion of the brain is humor. Education world states, "research suggests that we remember at least 30 percent more of what we learn with humor." Playing games can be one of the most powerful methods of teaching and learning. However, it is always important to remember to limit the amount pof cempetition when using games in the classroom. Finally, is the idea of using movement in lessons. Kinesthetic students learn most thru this method which includes hands-on learning, physical movement, and manipulation of objects.

 

Research Summary

 

I learned some very valuable ways to increase the learning capacity and quality of my students. I feel that properly understanding the brain and the ways in which it is "excited" are very important. Teachers cannot expect students to do their best unless we, as educators, are doing our best to educate them. My personal opionion is proper use of a variety of teaching methods is vital in any classroom.