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Students will be able to experience learning in new ways as a result of using brain-based learning methodologies, which may even reveal their optimal learning styles. Active learning involves students in the process of learning through activities such as reading, writing, conversation, and problem-solving that enhance content analysis, synthesis, and evaluation. Deeper learning is possible with active learning; yet, student resistance to this style of learning is common. Students’ traditional conceptions of teaching and learning clash with active learning. Students were taught knowledge in high school, memorized it, and were then evaluated on it. Instead, active learning pushes individuals to take chances and practise learning tactics with which they are unfamiliar.
Brain-Based Learning:
“Brain-based learning” refers to teaching methods, lesson plans, and school programmes that are based on the most up-to-date scientific research on how the brain learns, including cognitive development—how students learn differently as they age, grow, and mature socially, emotionally, and cognitively.”
The fact that educational practices are based on discoveries from neuroscience research is an important aspect of brain-based learning. You already know that each student learns in a unique way, so it’s critical to incorporate a variety of brain-based learning tactics in your teaching practice to appeal to a diverse range of students and their needs.
Strategies That Teachers Can Adopt To Implement Brain-Based Learning
Implement brain-based learning practices in the classroom to boost students’ performance and chances of success. Here are five ideas to help people get started:
Get off to a good start by setting a positive tone.
For true learning to take place, kids must often feel physically and emotionally comfortable in the classroom. You can help your pupils learn more effectively by providing a good classroom environment in which they feel supported and encouraged.
Setting a positive tone in the classroom with classroom welcomes can enhance student involvement, and many instructors have found that doing so at the start of the day promotes a sense of community. Learn why it’s critical to greet your pupils every day in class in this article.
Set aside time for “turn and talk.”
Students are more likely to remember the material when they talk about what they’ve learned. Incorporating “turn and talk” time into your classes can assist students in processing what they’ve just read, discussing ideas before sharing them with the class, and clarifying any issues they may have had while doing homework. This method can be used as a warm-up, during class discussions, or at the end of the day to round out the day. See how one middle school science teacher uses “turn and talk” time to help his students debate their ideas in the video below. Allowing your students to discuss their thoughts allows them to express what they’ve learned in their own terms and assists them in explaining what they’ve learned.
Make use of graphic aspects:
Visual stimulation has a favorable effect on the human brain. Art, imagery, and color aid in brain engagement and learning consolidation. Having your younger pupils, who may be learning about music genres, create art based on how particular pieces of music make them feel is an example of an art-based learning exercise. Encourage pupils to correlate colour with noises and sensations to engage the brain efficiently. Use vividly coloured illustrations in your high school classroom for an anatomy and physiology course as an alternative. Incorporate visually engaging things to aid in the formation of long-lasting connections in those brains!
Break learning down into manageable portions:
Chunking, or breaking down tough or massive texts into smaller chunks, has been shown to aid students in identifying essential words and phrases, paraphrasing, and understanding the material in their own terms. Students can better absorb and comprehend material by breaking down a huge piece of text into smaller, more accessible chunks. The Sprouts video below does an excellent job at introducing the concept of chunking. Chunking can also be used to break down large chunks of text into smaller, more manageable chunks. Work through long instructions with your pupils’ step-by-step to ensure that they grasp everything that is being requested of them.
Get up and about:
Brain breaks are an excellent method to get your pupils up and moving while also increasing brain activity. You’re surely aware of how fidgety your pupils may become when sitting at their desks for lengthy periods of time, so introducing some movement into the day might be beneficial. Fortunately, brain breaks are simple to introduce in any teaching setting and require no preparation. Take a look at the video below for an example of how a brain break could be used in your classroom.
Also read: Brain Breaks and Focused-Attention Practices
It’s all about the timing:
Ultradian rhythms are the cycles that the brain follows. These cycles provide fixed intervals of prime passive learning time – around fifteen minutes in length. Instead of continuing for 45 minutes, which is a long period of time during which pupils are likely to forget what they have learned, strive for 15-minute learning bursts. If you have video material to offer your pupils, for example, keep it to five to ten-minute segments and then pause to discuss what you just saw. You could also have a two-minute group or partner talk in between video segments.
Active brains Equal active learning:
Active learning is beneficial to the brain. During an active learning session, your students’ minds will be as actively engaged as they are physically engaged. There are many examples of active learning, but role-playing is one of the best. When your pupils are learning about peer pressure or conflict (or really anytime!) have them take on different roles to fully reinforce the material while also positively engaging the brain.
Listening to music to relax:
When it comes to brain function in learning, music, and relaxation could be considered separate topics, but we’ll combine them here. A calm mind can better concentrate on the topics being taught and absorb knowledge. During activities, consider playing soothing music in the background. Practice classical music during silent reading time or during a quiz, for example. You can also use music as a signal to move pupils from one task to another during transition times (while preserving your voice at the same time!).
Learning in a subtle way:
Subtle, nearly imperceptible learning is well received by the brain. Take your pupils for a walk around town, or even just the school grounds or playground, and speak about the nature you observe (different kinds of trees, birds, and insects, different kinds of clouds in the sky), or the different sorts of businesses you see and how a town or city is set up. Students will enjoy some exercise and fresh air while learning about their surroundings and connecting that information to the themes you’re covering in class: weather, environmental issues, city planning, community sections, and so on.
The social mind:
Social relationships and emotional experiences are beneficial to the brain. Use activities that are ideal for supporting this side of learning to stimulate the social-emotional areas of the brain. Allow pupils to collaborate in small groups to complete a task, with each person playing a distinct role in the process. Alternatively, have children choose their roles from a hat or with popsicle sticks. Use whole-class chats to check in on each other and see what’s new at the start of the day. Teach children how to find serenity and engage nicely with their classmates to help with the emotional section of the brain. You may, for example, provide a quiet area in your classroom for students who need a mental break or to teach in.
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FAQs
What is brain-based learning?
Brain-based learning refers to teaching methods, lesson plans, and school programmes that are based on the most up-to-date scientific research on how the brain learns, including cognitive development.
How does learning get accelerated by graphics or visuals?
Visual stimulation has a favorable effect on the human brain. Art, imagery, and color aid in brain engagement and learning consolidation.
How can learning be made better by music?
Playing soothing music in the background. Practice classical music during silent reading time or during a quiz. A calm mind can better concentrate on the topics being taught and absorb knowledge.
