7. What is the research base or evidence upon which this trend, theory or practice is based?
Brain Research
How the Brain Learns
Learning Theories
Brain Research
Earlier Brain Research
In the past, the focus of brain research was the behaviorist model; the study of the brain based on the subject’s outwardly projected response to stimuli. This type of study was limiting because one could not see inside the brain of the live person to see how the brain was functioning and because subjects had free will to behave as they wished, not always producing an accurate response.
The New Brain Research: 1990’s "the decade of the brain"
- CT scans (computerized tomography) – this type of scan uses x-rays to produce images of the structure of the brain.
- PET (positron emission tomography) – shows images of activity in the brain during different activities and illustrates which areas are being used.
- MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) – produces images of the brain using radio signals to show changes in the brain as it functions. A picture of the entire brain can be produced once every second.
- fMRI (functional MRI) – rapidly scans images of the brain by measuring blood flow. Can produce images at such a high rate that the result is like a movie of the brain performing various tasks.
The Future of Brain Research
Neuroplasticity – the process in which the brain constantly reorganizes itself as it accepts new information.
How the Brain Learns
- Michael Merzenich
– neurobiologist, University of California, San Francisco. Dr. Merzenich believes that in the next decade or two that all teaching will be based on neuroscience. Because of the increases in technology and the study of the brain, in the future educators will be able to rely on a student’s brain function to determine how they will learn best.- Windows
– It is believed that there are certain periods in life, or windows, when some tasks are learned more easily. During those windows certain cells are assigned to perform certain duties. When those periods are over, the cells lose the ability to perform as well. It is possible to learn most anything at any age, but it is easier to learn certain things at certain stages in life and the skill level achieved may be higher.Learning Theories
There are too many theories to list them all here, but some of the more well-known are:
- Behaviorism – "Behaviorism is a theory of animal and human learning that only focuses on objectively observable behaviors and discounts mental activities. Behavior theorists define learning as nothing more than the acquisition of new behavior." (Funderstanding.com, Inc. 1998-2001). This theory is most often defined by the research of Pavlov (classical conditioning) and B.F. Skinner (behavioral/operant conditioning).
- Learning Styles – This theory is based on the idea that people learn in different ways. You may not learn by listening to a lecture and then reflecting on what was said (active and reflective processors) but you may understand completely if you are giving the opportunity to actively engage in a task which involves the concept that you need to learn (concrete and abstract perceivers). This learning theory could be quite useful during assessment by helping teachers to understand how to use a variety of assessment techniques.
- Social Cognition – the social cognition theory states that we learn from the culture we are exposed to. Development takes place by learning alongside others, by being guided. According to this theory, instruction should be developed so that the instructor scaffolds the learner and adjusts their level of help to the need of the learner.
Resources
Sousa, David A., How the Brain Learns, 2nd ed. (Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press, Inc., 2000).
Funderstanding.com, Inc., http://www.funderstanding.com/behaviorism.cfm; Internet; accessed 23 September 2003.
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University of South Carolina
College of Mass Communication and Information Studies
School of Library and Information Science
Page last updated on 01/28/08