The Natural Human Learning Process and Brain Development During Learning Rick Dollieslager Fall 2009 Based on Rita Smi

1. The Natural Human Learning Process and Brain Development During Learning Rick Dollieslager Fall 2009 Based on Rita Smilkstein, We’re Born to Learn: Using the Brain’s Natural Process to Create Today’s Curriculum

2. (COMPRESSED IN 4 STAGES OR EXPANDED IN 6 STAGES) STAGE 1: Motivation/watch, have to, shown, interest STAGE 2: Start to Practice/practice, trial & error, ask ?’s STAGE 3: Advanced Practice/practice, lessons, read, confidence STAGE 4: Skillfulness/some success, enjoyment, sharing STAGE 5: Refinement/improvement, natural, pleasure, creative STAGE 6: Mastery/teach, recognition, higher challenges THE NATURAL LEARNING STAGES

3. We learn through those stages because this is how the brain learns-- by constructing knowledge through sequentialstages. THE NATURAL LEARNING PROCESS

4. We have about 100 billion brain nerve cells (neurons). Each neuron has one axon with many tails (terminals). These axon terminals send electrochemical messages to other neurons across tiny spaces called synapses. Learning creates the synaptic connections. The result is knowledge and skill constructed in our brain. HOW THE BRAIN LEARNS

6. Neuron Structure (in color)

8. Synaptic firing is similar to a spark plug firing in your car’s engine.

9. Each neuron has thousands of dendrites (like tree branches and twigs--“dendrite” means “tree-like”) which receive chemical-electrical messages from other neurons’ axons across the synapses. (slide 4) HOW THE BRAIN LEARNS

12. Specific neural networks, which might include as many as 10,000 neurons, are what we know and can do. HOW THE BRAIN LEARNS

13. As we learn (as we experience, practice, process), specific dendrites grow so that specific neurons connect at specific synapses to create larger and more-complex specificneural networks. These networks are what we know. The more we grow, the more we know, i.e., our ceiling levelrises. HOW THE BRAINS LEARNS

15. THESE ARE THE DENDRITES YOU’VE GROWN TODAY ABOUT…DENDRITES

16. When learners feel unconfident or anxious, certain chemicals flow into the synapses to shut them down: “Danger! No time to think! Just run away!” This is the flight reaction. Students mistakenly think they have a poor memory, but it is their emotions that are sabotaging them. When learners feel confident, different chemicals flow into the synapses that make them work quickly and well: “I can handle this.” EMOTIONS AFECT LEARNING

17. Endorphins: the good stuff (slide 6) Norepinephrine (aka noradrenalin): the bad stuff As a student/learner, how does it help you to know that? BRAIN CHEMISTRY: THE GOOD AND THE BAD

18. As a Learner how does brain chemistry affect: Test taking/test anxiety In-class discussion, group activities, lectures Teacher conferences EMOTIONS AFFECT LEARNING

19. As the teacher, knowing the NHLP and knowing that emotions affect learning, how should we: Motivate students Prepare them for learning Conduct our classes Confront sticky situations (suspected cheating or plagiarism, for instance) EMOTIONS AFFECT LEARNING