Learning Styles and the Brain

1631 Words4 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: An esayy on the differnt types of learning styles

How Did You Know That?!Learning Styles and the Brain

Although most commonly framed in academic contexts, learning style lies at the foundation of individual identity and development. Learning, "the process of acquiring knowledge about the world" (1) and learning style, "...the sum of the patterns of how individuals develop habitual ways of responding to experience" (2) reflect an array of attitudes, emotional responses, preferences and habits. It is the basis of how we interact with, process and are subsequently affected by inputs from our environment. In addition to providing a general overview of learning styles, this paper makes the claim that distinctions resulting from these models support the existence of the I-function.

A preliminary understanding of learning styles requires some knowledge of brain functioning. Currently, specific cerebral locations are associated with particular functions. The left and right hemispheres of the brain employ different strategies that classify individuals as either analytic (left) or global (right) learners. "A successive processor (left) prefers to learn in a step-by-step sequential format, beginning with details leading to a conceptual understanding of a skill. A simultaneous processor (right) prefers to learn beginning with the general concept and then going on to specifics." (2) Constructing learning style along these lines has dictated classroom methods for decades. Traditional pedagogy has long favored the left-sided student, emphasizing accurate, rational and sequential thought. Right-sided learners, with a proclivity towards a spontaneous, random, and visual style, possess a mode that is undervalued and often stifled.

Current theories of human learning contend that learni...

... middle of paper ...

...ciously change these things, or appreciate how much of who we are is already rooted in the nervous system awaiting the opportunity for expression. Learning models enable students and educators to assess individual learning styles and to tailor strategies and experiences accordingly. Understanding the neuro-biological aspects of learning could provide critical insight for issues such as learning disabilities. Culture affects what particular style is fostered and preferred. Insight into this aspect of learning style might contribute towards understanding inequalities in the educational system that result, for example, in higher dropout rates for minority students, and make educational reform a more attainable goal.

Internet Sources:

http://www.brains.org/path.htm

http://cogsci.ucsd.edu/~stjohn/bbs.abstract.html

http://io.uwinnipeg.ca/~epritch1/impnexp.htm

Show More
Related

  • Kolb's Experiential Learning Cycle

    520 Words  | 2 Pages

    And there is a four-type definition of learning styles: 1. Accommodators (CE/AE) 2. Divergers (CE/RO) 3. Assimilators (AC/RO) 4. Convergers (AC/AE)

    Read More

  • Left-Brain Vs Right Brain Theory

    688 Words  | 2 Pages

    Most education centers focus on speaking, listening, writing, and logic making right brain learners struggle more excessively in the classroom. Right brain learners excel more in a classroom when the lesson involves images, colors, emotions, and/or the lesson is being taught through a story. Putting a child in curriculum that is friendly to the brain will and does make all the difference. However, most children can learn to accept and learn will in left brain curriculum with little to no struggle. Except, it is believed that children who learn slower or have a learning disability are more likely to be right brain learners. Knowing this, teachers can tweak teaching strategies to get all children learning to their best abilities (Right Brain vs. Left Brain). There are definitely compelling ideas relating to right-brain versus left-brain study however we have unveiled reason to be suspicious

    Read More

  • The Increasing Number of Drugs and Crime

    624 Words  | 2 Pages

    National Research Council (U.S.). (2009). Strengthening forensic science in the United States: A path forward. Washington, D.C: National Academies Press.

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Koolb's Learning Styles Model And Experiential Learning Style

    761 Words  | 2 Pages

    While reading Kolb 's Learning Styles Model and Experiential Learning Theory, I have identified myself as an accommodating learner. At first I was somewhat surprised, but the more I read about the learning styles, particularly after I completed Kolb’s Learning Style Inventory it made more sense. I have a very hands-on style, which matches perfectly with my enjoyment of performing tests to find the root cause of behavior that I’m investigating. However, sometimes I rush to make decisions on the impulse of having the task at hand finished, failing to analyze all the options that are available. Another element of the accommodate learning style that identifies me is the fact that I enjoy a good challenge. I found very interesting to solve difficult

    Read More

  • Forensic Science: Stopping the Crime

    1600 Words  | 4 Pages

    Forensic Science, recognized as Forensics, is the solicitation of science to law to understand evidences for crime investigation. Forensic scientists are investigators that collect evidences at the crime scene and analyse it uses technology to reveal scientific evidence in a range of fields. Physical evidence are included things that can be seen, whether with the naked eye or through the use of magnification or other analytical tools. Some of this evidence is categorized as impression evidence2.In this report I’ll determine the areas of forensic science that are relevant to particular investigation and setting out in what method the forensic science procedures I have recognized that would be useful for the particular crime scene.

    Read More

  • Learning Styles

    923 Words  | 2 Pages

    Adjusting learning and studying strategies can be a fast easy way to improve a college grade from a B to an A. Through studies of learning styles I have been able to decipher my learning types. I am a visual learner, have an integrated brain, meaning I use both hemispheres, and ranked highest in bodily-kinesthetic and logic-mathematical intelligence.

    Read More

  • Advantages and Disadvantages of Different Learning Styles

    935 Words  | 2 Pages

    “A learning style is a way of learning and refers to the way that you learn new information” (2). Most people have one preferred learning style and perform to a lesser standard when learning in a different style than what they’re used to. Nowadays, children are told to take a quiz in school to determine what their preferred learning style is, but after a few years, not many of these children remember what their preferred learning style is, or even if they do, they don’t apply it to their learning.

    Read More

  • Brain-Based Learning and Teaching

    1735 Words  | 4 Pages

    Our brains are highly developed as humans and in today’s world we need to provide students with learning that is meaningful that provides critical thinking skills, creative thinking, ingenuity, and talent. Brain-based learning with a mixture of constructivism is what my classroom will look like. By combining these two theories I believe that the psychology and physiology of an individual will be able to shine brightly through their ability to learn. “Instead of putting most of the emphasis on memorization and recall, it may be smarter and more efficient to place more emphasis on the context in which something is learned” (Jensen, 2008, p. 165).

    Read More

  • Learning Style Analysis

    923 Words  | 2 Pages

    Learning styles are how individuals approach learning new concepts based on their strengths, weaknesses, and preferences. Acquiring and being aware of your learning styles is beneficial to accurately processing information that could be used for intellectual growth. Furthermore, learning styles are a part of how humans function and receive information from their world, so not being properly informed about this concept could bloom confusion, dysfunction, and chaos in society. Each learning style has a different goal and approach in interpreting information based on each individual’s abilities and should be regarded as being such. Nonetheless, it is a complex system that is produced to simplify and make sense of our world. Read/write was the

    Read More

  • Forensic Science History Essay

    836 Words  | 2 Pages

    As far back as 1832, James Marsh was the first to use forensics at trial to give evidence as a chemist in 1832. Since that time forensic science and evidence has come a long way in various ways and technology to help in determine if the suspect is guilt or not, through such things as DNA testing, blood, and fingerprints. The first forensic police crime lab was created in 1910. The contributions of Dr. Edmond Locard, a French scientist and criminologist, proposed that “everything leaves a trace”. This principle is still valid today as it was so many years ago. No matter how small, the specialized trained technicians and investigators can take these methods and go to a crime scene to get evidence. “Forensic science is the application of sciences such as physics, chemistry, biology, computer science and engineering to matters of law.” (Office of Justice, 2017) These different sciences can help achieve and assist in solving a case. Forensic science has also the ability to prove that a crime was committed, it can find the elements of the crime, it can help place the suspect at the scene and whether the suspect had any contact with the victim. However, in the last several years the techniques and with the use of technology the evidence that forensic science uncovers can also exonerate an innocent individual who has been falsely accused of the

    Read More

  • My Personal Learning Style

    771 Words  | 2 Pages

    Four decades of psychological research have taught us there is no one right way to learn. Our minds are as unique as our fingerprints. Our ability to learn is not necessarily related to high or low intelligence quotients, but rather a convergence of four important aspects of our perso...

    Read More

  • Definition of Social Psychology

    1874 Words  | 4 Pages

    Olson, M. H. & Hergenhahn, B. R. (2013). An introduction to theories of learning. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.

    Read More

  • Factors Affecting Learning

    2662 Words  | 6 Pages

    Manner, Barbara M. (2001). Learning Styles and Multiple intelligences in students. Journal of College Science Teaching. 30(6) p 390-93. retrieved April 7, 2003 from Eric/Ebsco database.

    Read More

  • Learning Capacity In Learning

    2162 Words  | 5 Pages

    Cognitive theory states that learning capacity is what going on inside student’s mind. According to cognitive theory, learning is not just a difference in behaviour, it is a modification in the way a learner thinks. Following it is the information processing model which describes that one’s brain has internal structures which select and operate incoming material (Dynamic Flight 2003). According to studies performed by the Laboratoire de Psychologie du Développement et de l'Education de l'Enfant (CNRS/Université Paris Descartes/Université de Caen Basse-Normandie), in collaboration with the NeuroSpin Center (CEA), brain shape does affect learner’s learning capacities. Everyone has cognitive control which is a crucial component of intelligence and learning capacity. However, the difference of our brain does affect it and therefore it differs from individuals. The scientists explained that if the asymmetry of the right and left hemisphere corresponds to more lateralization, the greater specialization of each hemisphere. This helps to improve the ability to resolve tasks. Learners whose two hemispheres were asymmetrical at the level of the cingulate cortex achieved better results and displayed greater capacity for cognitive control. From this, we can know that everyone may have different

    Read More

  • Multiple Intelligences

    1072 Words  | 3 Pages

    Thought out our lives, we are faced with many different learning experiences. Some of these experiences have made a better impact than others. This can be attributed to everyone’s different multiple intelligences or learning styles. A persons learning style is the method though which they gain information about their environment. As a teacher, it is our responsibility to know these styles, so we can reach each of our students and use all of the necessary methods.

    Read More

More about Learning Styles and the Brain

Open Document