Failure of the Education System

2332 Words5 Pages

Our education system today is in a state of flagrant disrepair. Educators rely on outdated modes of instruction to teach children. Instead of examining these methods administrators spend time and effort developing more intensive assessments in hopes of fueling more intense learning. In order to successfully impact learning teachers must begin teaching in ways that guarantee to impart new knowledge. Brain-based learning is a newer concept in education that addresses the specific needs of a learner’s brain in order to maximize learning. Brain-based learning as defined by author and educator Eric Jensen is “the engagement of strategies based on principles derived from an understanding of the brain,” (2010, p.4). Because educators do not teach in accordance with how the brain learns, the education system is failing today’s students.

Fundamentals of Brain-Based Learning

How the brain learns

Much of society’s understanding of learning revolves around a behaviorist’s approach to instruction, “with enough punishment and rewards, you can get any behavior you wish,” (Jensen, 2010, p.6). This form of teaching does not take into account a person’s individual circumstances or uniqueness. Instead behaviorism relies on the idea the idea that everyone will react the same to the decided reinforcers. Brain-based learning, on the other hand, asks: “How could I discover the learner’s natural impediments and built in motivators so that the desired behavior emerges as a natural consequence? (Jensen, 2010, p.6). Learning involves the entire brain and is fueled at many times by a survival instinct. Humans learn because many times the new information offered is considered essential to that person’s life. In this way it is not surprising tha...

... middle of paper ...

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