THE HUMAN BRAIN Introduction Brain Facts Our most

THE HUMAN BRAIN Introduction

Brain Facts • Our most complex organ • Weighs 1. 5 kg or about 3 lbs • Made up of Grey and White matter and Glial cells • New cells are born throughout our lives • Structure is determined by genes, experience and lifestyle • Needs exercise and a good diet

Instant Expert: The Human Brain Grey and White Matter Glial Cells • Grey Matter consists of the cell bodies of neurons • White Matter is the branching network of thread-like tendrils called dendrites and axons that spread out from the cell bodies to connect to other neurons • Glial cells – more numerous than the neurons, they amplify neural signals and work with neurons in mental calculations Helen Phillips, 4 September 2006 New. Scientist. com

Structure Cerebrum Occipital lobe Parietal lobe Temporal lobe Frontal lobe Cerebellum Midbrain and Brain stem (Image from Time Magazine)

Human Memory The retention of and ability to recall information, experiences, and procedures. The Skeptics Dictionary Robert Todd Carroll

How does it work? • Truth is - We don’t know how memories are formed, retrieved or become conscious thoughts • Latest theory – complex patterns of neuronal firing • Hypothesis – these firing patterns are memory templates Wikipedia, 2008. Biological neural network, retrieved October 21, 2008.

Hippocampal Neurons Neural network – physically interconnected neurons Connections– chemical synapses & electrical gap junctions Image from The Franklin Institute, 2004, The Human Brain: Renew, Resources for Science Learning.

What we do know Encoding • Active process • Strong connection, strong memory • Consolidation • Association/Elaboration • Repetition • Self-referent Forgetting • • • Weak encoding Lack of retrieval cue Time & replacement Repetitive experiences Brain overload Dreaming

Memory Storage Sensory • retains image for only a small part of a second Short-term • lasts for about 20 -30 seconds • limited to storage capacity of 7 items Long-term • Rehearsal /Reference helps store memories

Long Term Memory Tools • • • Clustering Conceptual Hierarchies Semantic Networks Schemas Script

Retrieval • • • Not random Cues help Memories are reconstructions Source errors Reality monitoring

The Human Brain: Renew The Franklin Institute Resources for Science Learning • Throughout your life neural networks reorganize and reinforce themselves • Body-mind interaction stimulates growth of brain cells and complex connection patterns in the neural network at any age • You can exercise your brain!

Brain Exercises • Get dressed with your eyes closed • Eat/Brush teeth with the opposite hand • Use your left hand to operate the computer mouse • Shop at a new grocery store • Go to work by a different route • Read Do crossword puzzles Play Scrabble Start a new hobby Learn a foreign language Combine 2 senses – i. e. listen to music and smell flowers • Exercise • Think – the more we think, the better our brain functions • • •

HEMISPHERE DOMINANCE

Brain Dominance • 90% of humans are left-brain dominant • What are you? http: //www. ipn. at/ipn. asp? BHX

Brain Dominance Left Brain Linear • processes information logically from part to whole • easily takes details to make an outline Right Brain Holistic • information is processed from whole to part, beginning with the big picture, not the details • understanding of why or what a task means is required before beginning

Brain Dominance Left Brain Sequential • Learning, thinking, and tasks are done in order from first to last • Organization and planning are key • Easily follows directions, schedules, and routines Right Brain Random • jumps from one task to another, disregarding priority or completion • corrects and adjusts along the way • tends to work on multiple tasks and assignments at the same time

Brain Dominance Left Brain Symbolic • easily processes symbols (letters and words) and notation in math and music • spelling and formulas tend to be memorized Right Brain Concrete • prefers to process things that can be seen, heard, touched • needs to understand how mathematical formulas work • likes to visualize ideas and solutions

Brain Dominance Left Brain Logical • information is handled in parts using logic to solve problems • conclusions require reasoning and proof • mechanics of writing are important Right Brain Intuitive • solutions are based on intuition, whether it feels right • answers to problems are known without being able to explain how they were found • ideas and meaning of writing are important

Brain Dominance Left Brain Verbal • thoughts and ideas are easily expressed as words • explains instructions and directions well Right Brain Nonverbal • thoughts and ideas are often illustrated • writing assignments are difficult and take longer to complete

Brain Dominance Left Brain Reality-Based • knows and follows rules • solves problems based on data and facts Right Brain Fantasy-Based • approaches things creatively • problems solved through imagination and discovery • often bends rules, not realizing the consequences

CREATIVITY • People Who have tremendous creativity also have tremendous connectivity between the right and left sides of the brain.

LEARNING PREFERENCES Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences

Visual & Spatial Learners • Have good visual recall and will be able to remember scenes, objects or faces for years. • Prefer visually presented information such as charts, pictures, and images. • To appeal to this learner libraries should: – Create visually stimulating displays – Use video and/or photos – Use color

Musical Learners • Have good auditory recall • Rehearse situations by playing them out internally • Respond well to environmental sounds, music and human voice • To appeal to this type of learner libraries should: – Use storytelling, music and sound effects

Kinesthetic Learners • Use the body in different ways to aid memory • Learn best while doing • May like to move about during learning activity • To engage this type of learner libraries should: – Have displays and programs with opportunities to feel and touch, to use computers and to make things.

Interpersonal Learners • Are able to understand work with others. • Respond quickly to changes in mood and adjust their behavior accordingly. • Enjoy discussions and group work. • Good at giving and receiving feedback. • To appeal to this type of learner libraries should: – Provide opportunities for discussion and group activities

Intrapersonal Learners • Self motivated and have a high degree of selfknowledge. • Like time for quiet reflection to develop thoughts and how to express them. • Enjoy spending time alone researching, thinking and reflecting. • To engage this type of learner libraries should: – Have activities that allow for some individual reflection time before moving to a group discussion or activity.

Linguistic Learners • Sensitive to the meaning of words: – Order, sounds, rhythm and inflection – Capacity to change mood, persuade or convey information Learning opportunities inherent in libraries and museums appeal to linguistic learners.

Mathematical/Logical Learner Problem solver Constructs solutions non-verbally Sees patterns and relationships Prefer information to be sequenced in a logical order and to make strong connections between concepts. • Libraries and museums appeal to this type of learner as information is presented in a logical progression. • •

Naturalist Learners • Enjoy being outside and notice patterns in nature. • Have a strong sense of what is fair. • Consider the impact of their actions on others. • To appeal to this type of learner libraries should: – Provide spaces that are open and full of natural light. – Provide outdoor spaces for reading and activities.

SIX MAJOR THINKING SKILLS Bloom’s Taxonomy

• Knowledge: involves remembering or recalling appropriate, previously learned information to draw out factual answers. – – • Comprehension: involves grasping or understanding the meaning of information materials. – – • How many eggs in a dozen? When was Abraham Lincoln president? Explain how an egg becomes a chicken. What important events occurred during Abraham Lincoln’s presidency? Application: involves applying previously learned information (or knowledge) to new and unfamiliar situations. – – Can an egg grow into a cow? How did Abraham Lincoln’s personal views on slavery fit with the events of the time?

• Analysis: involves breaking down information into parts and trying to understand it’s organizational structure. – – • What is one difference between eggs laid by a frog and eggs laid by a chicken? Compare and contrast some contributions made by presidents during the 1800’s. Synthesis: involves applying prior knowledge and skills to combine elements into a pattern not clearly there before. – What might happen if a cow laid eggs? Knowing what you know about egg-laying animals, what could you say about animals that don’t lay eggs? – If Abraham Lincoln lived today what problem might he solve? • Evaluation: involves judging or deciding according to some set of criteria without real right or wrong answers. – – What do egg laying animals have in common? How might history be different if Abraham Lincoln had never been born?

Alternative Learning Approaches The alternative learning approaches involve the whole person, using physical activity, creativity, music, images, color, and other methods to get people deeply involved in their own learning.

• The optimal learning environment is: – Positive learning environment – Total learner involvement – Collaboration among learners – Variety that appeals to all learning styles – Contextual learning

CREATING A ROUNDED LEARNING EXPERIENCE FOR OTHERS Sensory - Intuitive: Provide both hard facts and general concepts. Visual - Verbal: Incorporate both visual and verbal cues. Active - Reflective: Allow both experiential learning and time for evaluation and analysis. Sequential - Global: Provide detail in a structured way, as well as the big picture.

IMPLICATIONS FOR INFORMATION SEEKERS • • • Libraries, museums and archives can build on their understanding of learning style preferences and alternative learning approaches by: Emphasize intuition, feeling, sensing and imagination as well as analysis, reason and sequential problem solving skills. Recognize different learning styles using different combinations of experience, reflection, conceptualization and experimentation. Introduce a wide variety of experiential elements into the learning environment, such as sound, music, visuals, movement, experience and talking to appeal to multiple intelligences. Make connections with people’s every day experiences when introducing concepts or themes that may be unfamiliar. Involve many different people in developing the opportunities that you provide for learning including the learners themselves to appeal to a wide range of learning styles.

References (2000). Music with the brain in mind. In E. Jensen, Music with the brain in mind (pp. 42 -45). San Diego, California: The Brain Store, Inc. Balzac, F. (2006, May). Neuro. Psychiatry reviews. Retrieved September 27, 2008, from www. neuropsychiatryreviews. com The brain explorer. (2008, September 27). Retrieved September 27, 2008, from library. thinkquest. org/CO 110299 Brain metrix. (2007). Retrieved September 27, 2008, from www. brainmetrix. com/creativity Caban, S. (2004). Brain dominance test (online-test). In International Pc. E network. Retrieved November 1, 2008, from http: //www. ipn. at/ipn. asp? BHX Comparitive dominance. (2001). In The brain explorer. Retrieved October 24, 2008, from http: //library. thinkquest. org/C 0110299/brain/dominance. php? page=dominance 1 Gordon L. , & Shaw, P. (2000). Keeping Mozart in mind. In P. Gordon L. Shaw, Keeping Mozart in mind (pp. 121 -140). San Diego, California: Academic Press. Jonassen, D. H. , & Grabowski, B. L. (1993). Handbook of individual differences, learning, and instruction. Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

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