Once you learn some basic neuroscience, it's easy to see the connection with learning. Using it for teaching is a fairly recent development, the two fields have traditionally been far apart. It started when neuroscientists began to compile years of studies on the brain and apply them to learning using new techniques such as MRI imaging. Soon, the fields of Educational Neuroscience and Cognitive Neuroscience were born. Next, educators started to teach themselves about the brain; some neurologists such as Judy Willis have even become teachers. Neuroscience is complicated, but with the help of the Internet and some ambitious individuals, the key principles can be distilled into easily understandable chunks and accessed readily. We have prepared 6 neuroscientific concepts related to learning to give you an idea of what is available online, and included online resources or ways to to apply them to online learning environments.
Teacher Lens
Neuroscience is just one form of information and research that experts filter, analyze and interpret for us, creating theories, frameworks, strategies and tactics that we can apply in our daily practice. As educators it is then up to us to filter what we are presented and determine how, when and why we will implement strategies in our classroom and in online learning environments.
As you review the 6 tips use your professional lens to determine what strategies resonate with you.
8 Brain-based Tips
Below are 8 Tips to explore. Hover over them to reveal the topic. Click to reveal the information.
Tip #2 - Visual
Overview
As Eric Jensen notes in his books and articles, "Between 80 and 90 percent of all information that is absorbed by our brain is visual.” That means we’re all “visual thinkers”. The brain responds and indeed seeks out images, colour and shape. While text is important, the brain is more likely to remember information if it is able connect an idea or concept to a relevant image or design. Colour is also important as it draws the brain’s attention to important ideas, helping the learner remember the information better than oral or text based information alone. Presenting information in a linear, bulleted form is less effective for learning and memory than visual methods of organizing information such as concept maps or mindmaps and other graphic organizers. Visual mapping supports three theories: Dual Coding, Schema and Cognitive Load. (IARE 2003) Using graphic organizers helps learners make connections, retain information and recall it faster.
Application to Learning
Incorporate visual learning in the classroom:
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Move beyond text heavy instruction and assignments - incorporate the meaningful use of visual images, colour and shapes
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Include visual sorting and classifying - activities such as concept attainment - give learners the opportunity to build their own connections between the concepts and visual representation.
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Teach learners to recognize when an image reinforces and helps them make connections, and when it is just “decoration”
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Design “visual-friendly” presentations - more isn’t always better. Visual images and background designs can be distracting for the brain as it looks for meaning and connections
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Use, and have students build and use graphic organizers - have students explain their thinking and their use of images and inclusion of colour
Articles/Resources
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Tony Buzan coined the term “mindmap”. Watch this video to explore why the mind doesn’t think in linear lines.
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Find or create interactives that allow learners to work in a visual mode. If no site is available create a Google drawing or use an online whiteboard for exploration or use Scoot & Doodle in a Google Hangout.
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Athough most LMSs have a linear design, consider how you can create a more purposefullly visual interface
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Provide visual mapping tools such as Popplet or Mindmeister.
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Use alternatives to bulleted presentations such as Haiku Deck or Powtoon Slides
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Include interactives where possible. Teach students how to use and why they support learning (Read, Write, Think Interactives)