There are many parts of the human experience that we are still striving to understand; yet, one of the most complex and mysterious parts of humans is the brain itself. It is a very complex organ with function we still do not fully comprehend. There are different processes that we are still attempting to understand; however, we do understand the bottom-up and top-down processes of the brain. The major filter and function of the brain are also understood as the attention filter and the executive function of the brain. One of the systems that are most understood is the reticular activating system that controls the first steps of understanding. By understanding what we already know about the brain we can assist students in their learning and …show more content…
It is composed of three parts: the brainstem, the cerebellum, and the cerebrum. First, the brainstem “includes the midbrain, pons, and medulla. It acts as a relay center connecting the cerebrum and cerebellum to the spinal cord. It performs many automatic functions such as breathing, heart rate, body temperature, wake and sleep cycles, digestion, sneezing, coughing, vomiting, and swallowing” (Mayfield Clinic, 2013). Next, the cerebellum “is located under the cerebrum. Its function is to coordinate muscle movements, maintain posture, and balance” (Mayfield Clinic, 2013). Lastly, the cerebrum “is the largest part of the brain and is composed of right and left hemispheres. It performs higher functions like interpreting touch, vision, and hearing, as well as speech, reasoning, emotions, learning, and fine control of movement” (Mayfield Clinic, 2013). Concerning the right and left hemispheres, the right hemisphere “is mainly in charge of spatial abilities, face recognition, and processing music. It performs some math, but only rough estimations and comparisons. The brain 's right side also helps us to comprehend visual imagery and make sense of what we see. It plays a role in language, particularly in interpreting context and a person 's tone” (Melina, 2011). The left hemisphere “is dominant in language: processing what you hear and handling most of the duties of speaking. It is also in …show more content…
This attentional system filters out information along with making sure that a person does not respond inappropriately to stimulation that is not important. The executive function is a set of mental skills that help a person get things done and are controlled by the frontal lobe. The executive function helps to manage time, pay attention, switch focus, plan and organize, remember details, avoid saying or doing the wrong thing, and do things based on experience. Working memory, attention, and executive function are three cognitive functions that affect learning. According to Rosemary Tannock, “These three cognitive functions are interwoven in a complex system of neural networks, and they are crucial to the learning process. Strong working memory results in functional attention networks and good executive function, all of which correlate strongly with academic achievement” (Tannock,
The cerebrum is one of the parts of the brain that provides equilibrium when it comes to motor skills and plays a petit role in our concentration and language it also normalize our responses to fear and pleasure, with its appearance as an attached part at the bottom of the brain the cerebrum receives inputs from various parts of the brain and the spinal cord. (Pinel, 2009).
The two hemispheres of the brain are the left and the right hemisphere. Each having it's own unique purpose and function. The two hemispheres are separated by a fold down the middle connected only by a thick nerve cable called the corpus callosum. The Left hemisphere is thought to be the logical side controlling speech, reading, writing, details, facts, maths and science and rational, literal, practical analysis. The right hemisphere is seen as controlling the intuitive, creative side of life, with spatial perception, symbols and images, face recognition, imagination, beliefs and fantasy. (Vered, 2013, www.brainskills.co.uk)
Prefrontal Cortex The prefrontal cortex is the most anterior portion of the frontal lobe. It responds mostly to stimuli signaling the need for movement, however it is also responsible for many other specialized functions. It receives information from all sensory systems and can integrate a large amount of information (Kalat 2004). Studies have shown that the prefrontal cortex is responsible for working memory. Working memory is defined as "the information that is currently available in memory for working on a problem" (Anderson 2005).
The left and right hemispheres of the brain are each divided into sections. Within each sections are lobes, controlling such processes as our visualization, our movement, and our personalities. For instance, the occipital lobe in the back of our brain is responsible for processing vision, and the frontal lobe behind our forehead controls cognition and personality. The lobes of the brain are split between the right and left hemispheres of the brain. This well-designed arrangement is for the lobes to function correctly, so the two hemispheres of the brain can communicate with one
The brain has many functions in which it helps process and understands information. One aspect of the brain is its memory. Memory is there so information can be used to understand what is happening around someone. The function of memory is somewhat of an enigma to many scientists. How does the brain store and retrieve such information and at such high speeds? Although it is hard to conceive the actual machine working behind memory scientist have been able to figure out the physiology behind this process. The brain is composed of millions of neurons. Communication between these neurons is by using nerve impulses from the axon of one neuron to the dendrites of another. This is called a synapse. All impulses are transmitted by a chemical substance, which is called a neurotransmitter. Scientists have not been able to explain the actual processes that occur within memory. They cannot explain why people can remember something's and not other or why some learning strategies are better then others. It turns into more of a guessing game using analogies to explain what happens. Memory has been compared to the way " we rummage our house for a lost object." That is the way the brain works in terms of memory. The confusing part is how one can store it retrieving it and even use it to decipher harder more complex problems. In one early theory memory is broken down into two areas. These areas are primary memory and secondary memory. Primary memory is said to not have to be retrieved. It was never lost and it is what is seen in present time. Secondary memory is a place where everything can be stored, but the difference is secondary memory has to be retrieved and cannot be used like primary me...
The brain has many different parts to it which help one function through daily life; parts such as the cerebrum which controls voluntary movement and regulates functions such as thinking, speaking and the ability to recall information. The cerebellum controls the balance and coordination and finally the brain stem, which consists of the medulla oblongata and the spinal cord which controls all involuntary functions such as breathing, heart rate and blood pressure. The brain stem is also able to carry out these actions even when someone is asleep. To fully understand how crucial the brain is to survival one must understand the functions of the brain stem.
The left and right hemispheres of the brain are each divided into sections. Within each sections are lobes, controlling such processes as our visualization, our movement, and our personalities. For instance, the occipital lobe in the back of our brain is responsible for processing vision, and the frontal lobe behind our forehead controls cognition and personality. The lobes of the brain are split between the right and left hemispheres of the brain. This well-designed arrangement is for the lobes to function correctly, so the two hemispheres of the brain can communicate with one
The brain is an amazing thing, but it’s also such a weird thing. We just have this 3 pound ball of nervous tissue inside of our skull that helps us walk, talk, move, solve problems, write, read, imagine impossible situations that will stress you out at 4 AM , feel emotions, stores memories, and so many other incredible things.
In education, academic success is linked with students’ mastery of several key EF’s that work together. Executive function is vital for successful cognitive functioning in the classroom as demands on working memory increase as tasks requiring greater complexity of thought appear (Anderson, 2002; Banich, 2009). For this reason, EF’s are difficult to precisely define, because they are thought to include multiple mental functions as shown in Figure 1 below. EF’s are multidimensional and there exist many models that provide varying viewpoints relative to its basic processes (Banich, 2009). The lack of consensus in the definition of the EF’s has led to competing models and theories. Larger models of EF’s include those by Anderson (2002), Barkley (2001), Brown (2005), and McCloskey, Van Divner, and Perkins (2008).
Best, Miller, and Jones (2009): Executive function (EF) serves as an umbrella term to encompass the goal-oriented control functions of the PFC (prefrontal cortex). Banich (2009): Providing resistance to information that is distracting or task irrelevant, switching behaviour task goals, utilizing relevant information in support of decision making, categorizing or otherwise abstracting common elements across items, and handling novel information or situations. Corbett et.al. (2009): Executive function (EF) is an overarching term that refers to mental control processes that enable physical, cognitive, and emotional self-control.
Most of the body’s functions such as, thinking, emotions, memories and so forth are controlled by the brain. It serves as a central nervous system in the human body. The mind is the intellect/consciousness that originates in the human brain and manifests itself in emotions, thoughts, perceptions and so forth. This means that the brain is the key interpreter of the mind’s content. Jackson and Nagel seem to resist identifying what we call “mental events” with brain events, for different reasons, while J.J.C. Smart takes the opposing view.
Another mental process that is constantly working in your brain is called the working memory system. This system is responsible for holding information temporarily or holding onto information that you are currently working with. The working memory system helps your brain piece sentences together. As well as recalling any phone numbers that you have memorized, so that that information is available to you right when you need it to
The human body is divided into many different parts called organs. All of the parts are controlled by an organ called the brain, which is located in the head. The brain weighs about 2. 75 pounds, and has a whitish-pink appearance. The brain is made up of many cells, and is the control centre of the body. The brain flashes messages out to all the other parts of the body.
The brain is made up of numerous different sections that all work together as the control center of the body. The three major parts of the brain’s anatomy are the cerebrum, cerebellum, and the brainstem (Hines, 2016). Each of these regions have different jobs and conduct separate bodily
The cerebrum is the largest part of the brain. It contains all the tools that are responsible the majority of the brains functions. The cerebrum is split up into four sections: frontal lobe, occiptal lobe and pariental lobe. The cerebrum has two sections the right and the left hemisphere that are connected by axons that send messages to and from one another. The matter in this part is made up of cells that carry signals between the nerve cells and the organs that run through the