Have you ever wondered why the students in the same class perform differently? Why do some show great results, while others just bear the burden of learning?
We are all different, and each has a unique capability of capturing and understanding certain processes or information, which depends on our worldview, thoughts, and life circumstances. A teacher is supposed to understand psychology and neuro processes beyond brain work to design the classes accordingly and not expect the learners to seize what their brain still needs to prepare for. This is what brain-based learning is all about - understanding how the brain naturally learns best and using strategies that align with the brain's inherent learning processes.
Let’s delve deeper into this amazing approach and explore the definition, history, principles, and applications of brain-based learning, and, of course, its role in modern education.
What is Brain-Based Learning?
Brain-based learning, also known as educational neuroscience, is an instructional approach that applies conclusions in neuroscience to teaching and learning practices. This method focuses on creating comfortable environments for learning that are compatible with the brain's natural processes and involves moving activities to boost learning experiences. Understanding the brain’s function helps educators design activities and learning material based on engaging multiple senses and encouraging collaboration, which in turn aims to improve knowledge retention and skills.
History of Brain-Based Learning
Initially, people had very primitive knowledge of brain function; later, the right and left-brain theory came up, which gave way to the three-part brain theory of the American physician and neuroscientist Paul McClean, who stated that survival learning took place in the lower brain, emotions were born in the mid-brain, and the upper brain is in charge of higher level thinking.
The concept of brain-based learning didn’t get much attention. Only in the 1990s did Professor Emeritus Renate Numella Caine and her co-author Geoffrey Caine describe the importance of considering brain processes for productive learning in their book. They put together 12 major principles to emphasize the connection between cognitive processes and learning, showing that early childhood development affects the ability to learn in the future. The authors worked with teachers and educators from around the globe and encouraged them to incorporate their knowledge about human brains into the typical programs. Due to the effectiveness of this approach, brain-based education has gained its popularity.
Brain-Based Learning Principles
Let’s take a closer look at the key principles of brain-based learning.
Health and Exercise
Unfortunately, in today’s technologically rich world, we spend most of our time in front of the screen, thus leaving very little desire and opportunity for physical activity. Children aged 8-12 spend 4–6 hours using screens (either desktop or mobile, and teens use up to 9 hours. The average time is 6 hours, 35 minutes of daily screen time, which is also huge.
Our brain refuses to handle long-read materials and comprehend complex phenomena. Physical health is crucial for brain function. Regular exercise increases blood flow to the brain, promoting the growth of new neurons and enhancing neuroplasticity. To put it simply, incorporating physical activity (e.g., walking breaks during learning sessions) into the school day can help students increase their attention span, and improve memory.
Group Work
Joint learning activities encourage the class to learn from each other. During group work, learners feel comfortable sharing ideas and experiences, and develop their critical thinking and problem-solving skills. They start to communicate easily and expand their network.
Peer Teaching
When students engage in peer learning, they reinforce their understanding of the material. Learners form small groups where they can teach and explain certain topics to one another or arrange presentations that also facilitate active learning. This process develops the skill to structure and express thoughts that will help peers to better comprehend and retain information.
Practice
Cramming or just memorizing proved to be less effective than repetition and practice. The trial and practice approach is fundamental for reinforcing learning because this experience promotes better decision-making in real-life situations.
Limited Lectures
As we know from the learning pyramid concept, only 5-10% of information can be retained from auditory or visual context. Long lectures lead to cognitive overload and reduce concentration. Short lectures or those combined with interactive activities like discussions, can help maintain students' engagement and enhance their understanding of the material.
Meaningful Information
If the learning course incorporates data that is meaningful and relevant for students, the learning outcomes will be more effective compared to the cases when the presentation of the material sounds like a boring theory story. Thus, engineering or a computer class can include a description of the functionality of students’ favorite gadgets or devices; an economics lesson can present the strategies for running a “home market”, etc.
Written and Verbal Information
A combination of written and verbal information can be equally applied to e-learning or many other learning styles. This multimodal approach helps students transfer their knowledge from short-term memory to long-term and retain information more effectively.
Stress Mitigation
According to multiple studies, chronic stress changes the brain chemically. It leads to the weakening of cognitive function and hinders learning. A supportive and low-stress learning environment promotes students' ability to focus, process information, and perform academically.
Benefits of Brain-Based Learning
Memory Retention
As we have already found, brain-based learning aims to align with the brain's natural processes, thus facilitating better memory retention. Implementation of such memory retention techniques as spaced repetition, gamification, visualization, and active engagement help consolidate new information, making it easier to recall later.
Higher Academic Performance
Students' performance results depend on the classroom environment and the methods of learning. Those who engage in brain-based learning activities tend to show better academic outcomes. Modern education adheres to teaching methods that align with the brain's natural functions, as they enhance students' cognitive abilities and academic scores.
Motivation
It’s no secret that motivation plays a major role in education since it ensures engagement and gives a sense of value to the learned material. Through brain-based learning, students enjoy the process of acquiring newer skills and eagerly invest in learning. This feeling of motivation fills learners with expectations to explore their knowledge in practice.
Classroom Cooperation
Group activities within a supportive classroom environment promote cooperation, knowledge sharing, and positive social interactions. This, in turn, leads to building a learning community that will be useful for different generations.
Resiliency
Since brain-based learning mainly focuses on brain functions in terms of getting an education, it is deprived of overwhelming processes and hence helps students develop resilience, manage stress, and overcome challenges. This approach equips students with the necessary skills to navigate difficulties and strive on their learning journey.
The Role of Brain-Based Learning in Modern Education
The goal of all educators is to improve learners’ academic performance and equip them with relevant skills for individual and professional growth. Incorporating brain-based learning allows teachers to create a supportive environment that offers students the opportunity to have effective and engaging learning experiences. Several decades ago, we could not imagine any alternative teaching method other than the traditional one.
However, the change of generations and consequent research in neuroscience brought forward the demand for innovative ways and approaches to education, highlighting the importance of understanding the brain's natural processes and applying them to teaching methods across various disciplines. The abundance of information makes it harder to concentrate, learn, and retain. Brain-based learning helps overcome these challenges either in traditional classrooms or online learning environments.
Brain-Based Learning Strategies Applied to e-Learning
E-learning is probably the only positive phenomenon handed down from the COVID-19 pandemic. Anyway, it came with certain challenges and required a different approach as compared to traditional learning methods. Here are the key strategies for achieving productivity in e-learning by combining it with brain-based learning.
Spaced Repetition and Distributed Practices
Spaced repetition is a method of memorization through repeated reproduction of knowledge over certain intervals. Distributed practice involves breaking up the activities into several sessions over a longer period of time. These similar techniques proved to reinforce learning, improve retention, and consolidate the information in a better way.
Fragmentation
The human brain prefers bite-sized information to absorb and then handle properly. This feature brought forth fragmentation techniques, similar to the previous one, which are about breaking down complex information into smaller, manageable portions so that students can easily process the data and understand the material more effectively.
Generative Learning
Generative learning is the ability to connect new information with existing knowledge through activities such as summarizing, questioning, and predicting. For example, when teaching new words, an ESL teacher can offer the students to draw concept maps where the new words will be linked to the words from the existing vocabulary. This process makes the brain recall and draw parallels, thus encouraging deeper understanding and retention.
Recovery Practices
Although the human brain has boundless capabilities, it also needs to rest and recover. Breaks and downtime in the learning or working processes prevent us from burnout and fuel cognitive function, which, in turn, allows for more effective learning or performance.
Collaborative Learning
In the same way, that our brain needs rest, it also requires collaborative learning activities, such as group projects and discussions, because of its social nature. These activities feed the brain and promote critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills which affects the overall learning experience.
Brain-Based Learning Strategies for Academic Success
Learners’ academic success directly depends on brain-based learning strategies that have proven to be effective when incorporated into study routines. These strategies include:
Active Learning: These activities require active participation, such as discussions, problem-solving, and hands-on projects.
Multimodal Learning: A combination of visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning methods to reinforce material.
Mind Mapping: Visual representations of information to organize ideas and provide connections between them.
Self-Assessment: Regular check-ups and feedback seeking to understand and identify areas for improvement.
Mindfulness and Stress Management: Mindfulness techniques reduce stress and increase focus.
Conclusion
Brain-based learning offers a powerful approach to education that considers how the brain actually works and applies its principles to learning practices. A teacher who understands the psychology of learning processes will do their best to develop newer activities and incorporate them into the core strategies of brain-based learning, thus contributing to better memory retention, academic performance, motivation, and classroom cooperation. This method boosts students' academic performance, promotes brain well-being, and encourages development and contentment for teachers and learners alike.