Natural Learning Principles – Critical for Education

Have you ever heard the word “research based” and wondered what exactly it means?  Today, research based tends to mean that someone used a particular strategy and demonstrated that students were able to recall more information and do better on tests.

But hidden in that definition of research based are deeply held beliefs, biases and assumptions about what it means to learn.  And if you look closely, there is no real definition of learning here.  From our point of view, the meaning of learning is assumed.

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Jun 16, 2011 Posted by In Brain Based Learning, Educators, Featured, Gurus Tagged , , Comments 1

Using Natural Learning to Teach Basic Math

One way to substantially raise standards across the board is to identify and tap into learning capacities of students that are not already being used. Natural learning (formerly “brain based learning” as we originally defined it) is beautifully positioned to provide guidance. The reason? Natural learning takes for granted that a learner is a whole person – a living system – and that every aspect of a person contributes to his or her learning. Body, brain, and mind are all interacting (though they may not be operating every effectively). What does this mean in practice? Let’s look at basic math as an example. We will take it step by step, from the very general to the quite specific. …

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Jun 16, 2011 Posted by In Brain Based Learning, Educators, Featured, Gurus, Parents Tagged , , , Comments 0

The Three Elements of Great Teaching

The 12 Brain/Mind Learning Principles describe several processes that are all happening at the same time.  The body is active.  Senses are engaged.  Students are searching for meaning and trying to understand.  The way that they connect with others powerfully influences what they are thinking and feeling.  And so on.

Notice that the Principles rely on teaching that is dynamic, i.e., experiential, project based, challenging and largely student directed.

There is just too much going on for each element to be addressed separately by teachers as they teach.  However, some general patterns emerge from the principles that become a very useful frame of reference for teaching.  We just refer to them as the three core elements of effective teaching.  Here they are.

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Jun 15, 2011 Posted by In Brain Based Learning, Educators, Featured, Gurus Tagged , , , Comments 0

Natural Learning: The Brain Based Principles

learning

Education and educators are in the spotlight as never before.  Parents, politicians, business, and the media are calling for better “results.”  And yet almost no attention is being publicly paid to how people learn naturally, and what sort of teaching best addresses natural learning.

We first visited this issue in 1990 with an article in Educational Leadership, and in 1991 with out book Making Connections: Teaching and the Human Brain, both of which introduced the notion of brain based learning and 12 our Brain / Mind Learning Principles.

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Jun 1, 2011 Posted by In Brain Based Learning, Educators, Featured Tagged , , Comments 5

Learning on Our Minds: Brain Based Classroom applications

brain based learning

Brain-based learning theory is guided by the assumption that “research in neuroscience should guide learning and assessment.” (Gulpinar, 2005) Much of brain-based learning (or BBL) theory stresses the importance of environment and learning climate and engaging students by reducing stress and getting them to a state of “relaxed alertness.” Here is where you can find our overview of brain-based learning theory.

According to Dr. Leslie Wilson who taught graduate courses on BBL for many years at University of Wisconsin Stevens Point, not all teachers are graduating with a knowledge of BBL theory or how to implement it. Wilson says that the U.S. K-12 educational system has remained relatively unchanged since the 1890s, with little of the newest research on BBL being implemented across a wide swath.  Here are Dr. Wilson’s tips for optimizing learning.

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Apr 26, 2011 Posted by In Brain Based Learning, Educators Tagged , , , Comments 1

Brain-based Learning

Definition

This learning theory is based on the structure and function of the brain. As long as the brain is not prohibited from fulfilling its normal processes, learning will occur.

Please note: since this article was published, Geoffrey and Renate Caine, leaders in brain-based learning research, have modified their principles on the topic. Please visit this Funderstanding article to learn about their updated views on brain based learning, which they are referring to as Brain/Mind Principles of Natural Learning.

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Apr 14, 2011 Posted by In Brain Tagged , , Comments 53