6329 brain-based learning

You made an interesting point Juan, but have we evolved? Even with both parents working 40+ hours a week, in most cases isn't it the mom who makes sure dinner is on the table, laundry is done, and house is clean even if its take out, picking up the laundry from he cleaners, and hiring the maid? The women of the family still do most of the shopping and pay the bills. Men on the other hand go hunting or fishing, mow the lawn, and fix things around the house, or hire the people to do it. Of course there is always the exception to the rule and that has been the case throughout the years.

Given that I am a product of a single working mom, I would disagree (especially if I knew what was good for me). I know that that is likely the norm, but I feel it is a case of nature vs. nurture more than the size of human brains. I comes down to how you are being raised, my daughters will likely twist their husbands arms "literally" if they don't help out..

Jackie and Juan, Interesting exchange! I would only add that, for the most part, it is women who take care of children, boys and girls. And yet, we seem to perpetuate the differences and tend to ask our children to do chores in very gender specific ways. Boys wash the car, girls wash the dishes, kind of thing.

Thanks for your input Juan, Jackie, and Maria! Social norms such as pink for girls, blue for boys, and arguments of the definition of famine and masculine have existed and affect our social relationships. Studies show that gender role norms affect the way people act, feel, and think. I am glad we are able to take this opportunity to learn more about anatomical differences between male and female brains in chapter 11, which also explains why male and female act differently in many things. As described in the chapter that "women are more likely to get depressed than men". After reading this Yahoo article, which "Women live longer, but on average men are happier" can also be well explained. Enjoy your reading boys and girls!

I can't comment on the woman side, but on the men being happier side is a simple one. Men really don't mature past the age of 15. We watch football and get loud the same as when we were kids. Most of us are easily amused.

I agree with you Juan. We do need outlets to relieve stress. I believe speak out loud, laugh out loud with friends are good ways to relieve stress. (here comes the gender stereotype, men are allowed to drink to talk out loud in the public, what about a group of women??? ) I've read an article that some Japanese company has a mini gym in their office building. There are no treadmills, no weights, but punching gloves and punching bags. After never-ending bow down in a long day, go to gym and imagine the punching bag is the boss. What a creative way of relieving stress at work.

This article seems to have good information about the differences between men and women. I have read similar articles, especially about the different brain hemispheres utilized by men and women. In the article, it states that women are better planners, organizers and learn from their mistakes. I think every man should read this article. Especially, the part were women learn from their mistakes because most men make the same mistake over and over.

Welcome to day 3 on Survival and this MOOC is all about Survival.... I hope that Dr. Butler doesn't mind the liberty I took with this week's topic...

I love this about MOOCs. My son is interested in music, but most definitely not interested in school. He's got his eye on a MOOC about Beethoven and another about music theory. This is, I believe, the way of the world, or at least a hallmark of our current generation. They only want to learn about what they want to learn about. Will foundational learning go away? with some vigilance, no. But will students of the future get to better direct and specialize their learning, yes! And, in my opinion, that's fantastic!

I am glad that you hit on that point, that the coming generation(s) may not be a strict towards following a learning regiment. I have noticed at least with my children that they learn what they want to learn and will dig further it catches their attention. I was personally taking a MOOC on Comic Books and Graphic Novels from Coursera! Who would have thought you would find a course on that? I do not believe any institution will ever have the flexibility of MOOC, the problem may be that a MOOC may never have the resilience of a University. I know we have talked about "Badges" as opposed to Paper Degrees and I think MOOCs will help make that a reality.

In my humble opinion, regardless of what we are taught at school and are supposed to learn, we only learn what we are actually interested in or have some emotional connection with. In a way, MOOCs just emphasize this tendency.

I love it! It seems that infused within the course are bits and pieces of different subjects which might lead people to other learning topics. MOOC's are something I want to look into, but have not yet taken the 3 or 4 hour a week I don't have to explore. Who knows what I will be exploring this summer.

MOOCs are great in that you will always find one on something that catches your interest. Most of them are not as clinical as the university courses we take, but offer enough complexity to keep you interested. I hope you do find a course that not only helps you out but perhaps allows you to bring something new to the classroom.

I think MOOCs are great when enrolled in something that interest you. I once took a MOOC course and did not meet my expectations. Also, it could've been that it was my MOOC course and was not accustom to these sort of courses. I really look forward to enrolling in another MOOC course in the near future.

Jackie, I do think the next generation will have more experienced learners. There has never been a more important time to apply principles of development and learning when considering the use of cutting-edge technologies and new media. When the integration of technology and interactive media in early childhood programs is built upon solid developmental foundations, and early childhood professionals are aware of both the challenges and the opportunities, educators are positioned to improve program quality by intentionally leveraging the potential of technology and media for the benefit of every child.

I really liked the piece you picked for the discussion group. In my school district we are implementing a 1:x initiative that all students will have Ipads and use them in the classroom. I think this is great on some instances and bad on others. Like the discussion says kids learn more when a video or some other form of multimedea follows with instruction. I get that and I am trying to use this in my classroom. The hard part about this philosophy right now is most of the students that we have, have grown up with the Ipad as a toy not an educational device and having the students think about the Ipad as an educational device is harder said than done it seems. My son is in the 4th grade and was given an Ipad 2 weeks ago. He has been able to some great things with it as a learning tool BUT he still sees the Ipad as something he gets to play Mine Craft on and not a learning tool. My high school students are having a harder time using the Ipad for educational use. I did not mean to derail this thread with this topic but my experience is telling me that we are at a cross roads right now. We have students that started with pen and paper and slowly have moved to a more technology based education are struggling using the technology because they have only used the technology as a toy up until now. The students coming up have had the technology earlier in life and are able to use it in class but they are still having a hard time associating the technology with learning. I guess what I am saying is that I know that the use of the technology will help the students learn but the students are having a hard time realizing that the technology is an educational tool as well as a game. What can we do to help the students realize the powerful tools they have at their disposal these days that we did not growing up?

Maria, I have to admit that I am guilty of standing in the way of technology. It is hard to incorporate the technology in a way that is resourceful and useful. I think Adam hit the nail on the head when he talks about the fact that today's student thinks of the technology as a toy not an educational tool, even if they played educational games. Martha has the key that the integration of technologies needs to be built on a strong foundation so that the new generation can see the ipad as a tool instead of a toy.

Jackie, You bring up very interesting points as do Adam and Martha. I would reflect on the different issues tackled maybe separating them into their different components. One element is the learning process: as Martha says, applying proper methodologies and evidence-based research in the classroom is essential. My question would be: as teachers, we have all been taught and trained in developmental theories and educational methodologies, however, very little of that seems to trickle into our practice, I wonder why. Another point would be the use of technology as such and the definition of a learning process: if the learning process is restricted to the acquisition of data, technology can do very little for us, since internet, ipads, etc. are, for the most part, meant to facilitate the spread of information. Maybe the emphasis should be on the development of skills that would allow students to process and discriminate sources and facts, and be able to apply them to a variety of real life situations. The acquisition of data should be dependent upon the development of higher order thinking skills. In this sense, the line separating the use of technology as a toy and the use of technology to facilitates the access to data is not very easy to draw. It has been argued that the development of problem solving skills and creativity is at the core of many games. Should the educational process be limited to games? Most certainly not, but, I think that technology is forcing us to redefine the way we see learning.

Interesting dialogue! Maria, I completely agree that the emphasis should be on the development of higher order skills. I know, too, that technology can rapidly turn off students if it is slow or boring or whatever they are doing with it doesn't interest them. I think real learning is always going to come back to meeting students where they are and getting them to think in new ways about topics they care about--whether they are using technology or not. So technology may be forcing us to redefine the way we teach, but I don't think it's redefining the key elements of effective teaching.

I'm amazed we know as much as we do given the way we were taught and how it is so "wrong" compared to the way our brains actually work. I think that says something for human resilience and adaptation. In spite of the classrooms we endured and seemingly endless lectures, a lot of us have still been able to come out ok and be pretty darned effective in our lives and jobs. Do I think the next generation will be more experienced learners because of the hands on nature of various devices they've been exposed to? Not necessarily. It still depends on how it is used. If all my 5 year old does is play some game on my iPhone, I don't know if that is making her a more experienced learner. Just like anything else, it takes the parent or educator to be involved and help the child use the device in the most effective way.

Maria you are absolutely correct! As educators we know what we should do, but it is not the easy road so we fall short sometimes in using proper methodologies. I believe there are many reasons "excuses" such as: classes are large with too many learning styles, paperwork gets in the way of planning, not enough time in class to apply methodologies. Let's face it when it comes down to the wire the use of methodologies are just good teaching skills, which should include the use of current technologies in the right context and for the right reason. I think too many times educational games just become "play" time and a break for the teacher to get other work done. They are called educational, but many times the kids just see the game not the educational aspect. Jennifer and Jeff, I don't think I could have said it any better. In order to be an effective teacher, one must incorporate the available tools in a way that meets the needs of the students. It all breaks down to how we use technology. Thinking about how "we" learned referring to those of us over 30 who did not have all this technology in school, we did turn out okay. If I talk to my colleagues who have taught more than 15 years they would say that the technology has taught our current students to be less effective at critical thinking when it comes to academics, yet they can learn, maneuver, and use problem solving skills to navigate the newest video games. Have any of you tried to play "Call of Duty" or "World of Warcraft?" They are not easy! It takes time, repetition, and good problem solving skills to get through each level. Maybe we as educators need to be more versed in the problem solving skills in popular games and be able to show our students the connection between the skills they use in the classroom and the skills they use in those games. It would give them the answer to that age old question, "Why am I learning this_____________?"

Totally in accord, Jackie! Technology should be only one more tool and, consequently, it should be used only under certain criteria.

Teacher do become an obstacle in the classroom, but not of their own accord. They get their hands tied by state testing the ruins education and district politics that can end their careers. It is really sad to see what education has become, if you as a few generations before us, it was a privilege to go to school and today students seem to have to go kicking and screaming. The misconception I have gotten from several teachers that I know is that they have this odd belief that the technology is there to replace them or simply teach the class for them. Technology is a tool that is meant to be wielded by someone who understands it. I think in the next few years we are going to see an exodus of pre-technology teachers and and influx of Generation iPad teachers who are tech savvy and have grown up with the technology. I think that will be a game changer for education and good serving of job security for students in our field.

I normally will skip articles which mention arithmetic. My eyes are easily caught by a visually appealing graphic, a photograph or a poem. But I absolutely agree that "animations and visual images help students see the mathematical concepts and to visualize how math works." Particularly when integrated learning with games, it will make learning more effective and proficient. I believe next generation children will definitely acquire a different learning style with technology, and is much unlike ours.

Thanks for prompting the importance of problem solving and suggestions for helping students to create a meaningful learning experience. I absolutely agree with Alan November that involving the community is one of the best ways to help students learn to value different ways of thinking, furthermore to appreciate the differences in each other. Creative-thinking and critical-thinking skills are essential components of problem solving. Students are natural problem solvers, through interaction with one another and participating in decision making offer countless opportunities for students to grow in their problem-solving abilities. Thanks for sharing this valuable information.

Excellent video! It's true on how everything has a purpose; listening to that really stunned me. Nothing was created in vain; everything has a purpose. You only have to find out how to use it correctly.

Adam asks "Do we educate our students this way? Do you educate your students this way? How can this help our students become better PROBLEM SOLVERS?" I am not a teacher but speaking for my children, I can say that they are being educated in many of the ways November describes. Particularly in OWNING their learning. I love to hear my son talk about what he learned not only from his teacher but, more often than not, what he learned from his peers. He is in a Montessori classroom and it really is a joy to watch the children choose what they are going to work on together and then see how they help each other. They stay in the same room for three years so in the first year, the younger children learn a lot from the older kids. But then, they build their confidence and are soon teaching each other plus, as they get older, they pass their knowledge to the ones below them.

Ernie, I think you pose an interesting question that is not easy to answer. I think that everyone copes with technology differently at school and at work. I think it all depends on how open minded one is to technology and if ones first experiences have been easy or hard. I personally have to say "thank spellcheck for that red squiggly line." I always have been a horrible speller and it makes life that much easier. Luckily, I went to college at 30 when it was the norm to turn in a paper that was typed on a computer with Microsoft Word. I don't think we have lost our thought process, I just think that we have to stop and realize that we truly cannot multi-task everything. There are only certain things that should be multi-tasked such as a pilot on an airplane as mentioned in the article, but most everyday things should not be. We need to learn to be truly sufficient in what we do we need to put our full attention into our task. I am curious about the articles comments about students reading less. I teach middle school and I would not necessarily agree with that statement. I would say that about 60% of my students will pick up their books as much as they can during class and would read the entire class if I let them and many of them would love to bring their Kindles or e-readers to schools if my school would let them. They might not be reading a book in print, but I bet if more students were aloud to read on their phones or other electronic devices we would see more kids reading.

I agree with Jackie! Everyone copes with technology differently but I also believe in two distinct ways either positively and negatively. The people that embrace technology positively will not only use the spell check app but would not think twice not to use it because this is acceptable behavior. If it was not acceptable to use, why is the option available? I realize relying on an app or computer software to do most of the work is a receipt for disaster one day. I think it is too late to turn back the old ways because the world dictates the pace we now live in. Let's say for example, we want to slow down the use of technology in the classroom. The question is, will the rest of the world follow suit? I do not think so! Based on the article you have provide Erie, it clearly states that recreation reading is in decline and I do not think it is going to get any better any time soon. The gaming industry is to blame because these games provide students with a shot of instinct gratification that recreation reading will never be able provide. The people that do not embrace technology will not only not use the spell check app but technology altogether. I have few co-workers in my office that refuse to learn and incorporate technology in their daily routine. When they do need to use technology they are always asking for help and it gets old after a while. I believe ten years from now everything will be automated and these cohorts of employees will be obsolete if they do not change their ways. No, Erie I do not believe we have lost the thought process by multitasking. In fact I think the opposite has occurred. I have witness in my office where season techs struggle with a technology issue and a student employee finds the issue without any real training. I then asked the student employee how he was able to figure it out and the answer is always I do not know how I just did. Crazy as it sounds it has happen several times in my office.

Technology is ubiquitous and as such, impossible to avoid. We get used to our kindle, notebook, phone, etc. and life seems impossible without them. While technology seems to simplify our lives it also poses questions and problems as the one Jaime describes that require the use of something that technology itself cannot provide, i.e., intuition in the process of problem-solving. That is something inherently human. I don't think I'd worry about losing this trait. I know it sounds like a cliché but a computer cannot replace a human brain. Having said this, I do think that the way we process information is changing but it is an adaptation to new environmental challenges; challenges that include technology amongst other things. It may be described as a new ability to multi-task, although as Dr. Medina explains in Brain Rules, the ability to multi-task is a myth. I prefer to consider it a new ability to focus in sequential processes.

One thing that we need to consider is that the pre-computer generation is getting ready to retire and these new "workers" have grown up with computers and internet. Each generation to come will be more and more tech savvy. My daughter struggled with standard keyboarding in school, but types a million miles an hour on her ipad! I read somewhere that the Concorde airplane was the last airplane that actually required a pilot to manually fly it, where as all the new and current planes really only require the pilot for landings and take-offs. There are school districts still fighting to keep cursive in their curriculum, but when is the last time a teacher took a hand-written paper? The question above about whether we are losing something due to our reliance on technology, is an interesting one. The better question would be is what if the technology was taken away, would we be able to function? Can we as a people survive without it?

I think that just like anything else, as our technology grows, we will lose some thought processes and gain others. That's not necessarily bad, though. We have always done that. I don't feel bad about losing the thought process that involves sneaking up on a chicken and killing it. Then, cleaning it and cooking it. I like that I can just go buy it prepared. By the same token, I like not having to get out the liquid paper when I mess up a word or sentence. Just a few keystrokes and I have made the correction. With regard to multitasking - Medina tells us that we really aren't wired for that. It does seem that more and more, people wear the ability to multi-task like a badge of honor. But actually it goes back to the old saying "jack of all trades, master of none". I would like to see people (myself included) take more time to focus their attention on one thing and get it right.

Link to annotations: https://diigo.com/01bzzm

So this is what you meant, Jeff? "Rocky the Octopus predicts Super Bowl 46 winner" http://youtu.be/XCxFiWLUtfo

LOL Exactly!! :-)

Very interesting! Could it be that because the octopus is something that is not easy to study in nature because they are smart enough to evade? Makes you wonder if this is why we never see "Bigfoot" or "Nessy." No really, how could we not believe that there are animals or other beings out "there" that are more intelligent or at the least intelligent in different ways? I bet if you talked to anybody who worked in a lab with animals you would hear stories of behavior that would not be typical of that particular animal. Why? Because the animal is not in its natural environment. No matter how big or small a brain is, it will adapt to the situation it finds itself in. This happens everyday when stray animals of all types are abandoned in areas that are not their natural habitats such as "domestic" snakes in Florida in the 80's and 90's. Now, what does Florida have? A BIG snake problem, because although I would think the snake would not have much of a brain they learn to survive in areas that get colder than they are accustomed too by surviving.

The ocean is by far the most unexplored area on earth. It covers about seventy percent of the earth's surface that is vital to our planets survival. It regulates the earth's temperature and supports living organisms like the octopus. I read an article a few years ago that 90 percent of the ocean still to this day remains unexplored. I cannot believe with the advancement of technology 90 percent of the ocean is still unexplored. If you think about it the ocean is a big museum that can provide us with many answers to most of our questions.

Yes, Jackie, it is really amazing how animals are able to adapt. Humans so often think we can control these things but it's not so simple. Jaime, it does make you wonder what else is under there that we don't even have any idea about. Could be very exciting...or scary! (Pacific Rim, anyone?)

I is fascinating how animals can adapted to their environments. The oceans are filled with animals that act like and hunt like land animals. They have to find their niche to live or perish. Darwin's studies on this have always amazed me. Maybe we can find an animal in the ocean as smart as us.

I agree with the author that in 21st century children spent too much screen time and not enough activities on reading, sports games, and family time. No doubt about it, new technology has made contacting family and friends easier than ever, and has assisted us in managing life. But I can't say technology has made people happier than ever. I would rather see children playing in the park, playing basketball with friends, go swimming, biking, hanging around with their circle of clique instead of chatting on Facebook all day. While hurricane Ike severely damaged Houston area in 2008, The power outage lasts longer than 3 weeks in my neighborhood. Kroger offered clearance for 50% off on all Frozen Food items, we have had wonderful hurricane parties with our neighbors. That is also a good time for the whole family get together and having a candle light dinner quietly without bothering of TV and phone calls. (We were having tuna fish with bread for dinner). Without AC, we have to let the window open up all night, and I just enjoyed the summer night breeze.