OBJECTIVES: At the end of this module, you will be able to: Discuss that understanding the left and right brain functions may help in improving one’s learning Explore mind-mapping techniques suited to right brain- or left brain- dominant thinking styles; and Make a plan to improve learning using both left and right brain development.
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3 MAJOR PARTS OF THE BRAIN Brain stem It connects the spinal cord and the brain. Controls functions that keep people alive such as breathing, heart rate, blood pressure and food digestion. BRAIN STEM
3 MAJOR PARTS OF THE BRAIN Cerebellum It controls voluntary movement. It translates your will into action. BRAIN STEM CEREBELLUM
3 MAJOR PARTS OF THE BRAIN Cerebrum Largest of the three brain sections, accounts for 85% of the brain’s weight and has four lobes. BRAIN STEM CEREBELLUM CEREBRUM
NEURONS The basic functional units of the nervous system, are three- part units and are key to brain function. They power the rapid- fire process that turns thought into movement. The thought moves as an electrical signal down the axons to the dendrite and then jumps to another nerve cell across a space with the help of some chemicals.
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There is a consensus among researchers that brain cells regenerate through out life. “The size of the brain doesn’t increase much after 3 ” It is during the first three years of life, the brain experiences most of its growth and develops most of its potential in learning. The brain parts are adaptable. Deprivation of intellectual stimulation occurs dramatically before age 3.
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“The question scientists can’t answer now is if the damage is permanent.” INHALANTS Such as glue, paint, gasoline and aerosols, destroys the outer lining of nerve cells and make them unable to communicate with each other.
Marijuana hinders memory, learning, judgment and reaction times . Ecstasy destroys neurons that makes serotonin - a chemical crucial in controlling sleep, violence, mood swings and sexual urges. Steroids cause aggressions and violent mood swings.
“There’s a lot we won’t know until later. Classic example is cigarettes . We allowed people to smoke for 100 yrs before we knew about all the horrible things that nicotine will do”
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The theory of brain lateralization was developed by Nobel-prize winners Robert Ornstein and Roger Sperry. It states that each side of the brain has different specific functions. While humans use both sides, each one has a dominant side which, according to the theory, explains much about his or her behaviour, interests, personality, and mode of thinking. This led to the coined terms left-brained or right- brained individuals
LEFT- BRAINED These people are Organized Logical Detail-oriented They prefer o sequencing o linear thinking o mathematics o thinking in words Like to set goals Can interpret information well Keep a tidy room Answer questions spontaneously Follow directions and read directions
RIGHT- BRAINED These people are Intuitive Risk-takers Creative They prefer imagination holistic thinking rhythm o feelings visualization o daydreaming Adventure Writing Fantasies o expression
THE THEORY’S ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES
PRO : LEARNING Upon knowing the brain inclination or to which brain a person is ‘affiliated’, he or she could think of ways to boost strengths and compensate for weaknesses. It may lead someone to develop effective ways to learn and study.
CON: STEREOTYPING Brain dominance may have a negative effect or may even impede learning when this results in a self-fulfilling prophecy.
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Have you ever heard of mind map? Popularized by Tony Buzan, a mind map is a thinking technique used to visually organize information. It is a creative and logical way of organizing thoughts and ideas in your mind through a diagram. It usually revolves around a central subject. Major ideas in the form of images and/or words branch out from the main subject. Texts, lines, colors, images, and symbols may be used to make mind maps. Mind maps can be simply done by manual drawing or sketching or through more intricate processes using computer applications.
Making a Mind Map Decide on what type of mind map you will create Think of the main idea for your mind map. Add branches to the main idea. Supplement with keywords Incorporate colors into the branches. Attach images if possible.
Mind mapping is a powerful thinking tool. It is a graphical technique that mirrors the way the brain works, and was invented by Tony Buzan. Mind mapping helps to make thinking visible. Most people make notes using lined paper and blue or black ink. Making notes more attractive to the brain by adding color and rhythm can aid the learning process, and can help to make learning fun. The subject being studied is crystallized in a central image and the main theme radiates out from the central image on branches.
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New Research Suggests the Brain is More like a Muscle It changes and gets stronger when you use it. Scientists have been able to show how the brain grows and gets stronger when you learn. “ Use it or lose it!”
Inside the cortex of brain are billions of neurons connecting in a complicated network. Communication between these brain cells is what allows us to think and solve problems. When you learn new things, these tiny connections in the brain actually multiply and get stronger . The more that you challenge your mind to learn, the more your brain cells grow.
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How do we know that our brain can grow stronger ? From the first day they are born, babies are hearing people around them talk—all day, every day, to the baby and to each other. They have to try to make sense of these strange sounds and figure out what they mean. In a way, babies are exercising their brains by listening hard.
Later, when they need to tell their parents what they want, they start practicing talking themselves. At first, they just make goo goo sounds. Then, words start coming. And by the time they are three years old, most can say whole sentences almost perfectly.
Practice is the Key! From the very first day you are born, you can hear everyone talk and you make sense of these strange sounds and figure out what they mean. As young as you are, you’re exercising your brain and learn how to talk goo- goo to real words. The brain has changed – it has actually gotten smarter.
“Don’t be dumb , you’re smart !” No one thinks babies are stupid because they can’t talk. They just haven’t learned how to yet. Some people will call a person dumb if they can’t solve problems or spell a word right, or read fast – even though all these things are learned with practice. You can learn something difficult until you find one topic easier because your brain muscles gotten stronger!
We are all SMART When one say – “That’s the smartest student in the class”. They don’t realize that any other students could learn to do as well if they exercised and practice studying as much. No one is really that well- rounded. But you can achieve this goal by learning how to use your brain effectively. Boost it up with mind boggling questions, read a book, learn some facts, make good decisions and devise an idea or plan.
Think about it! We are smart, and we can be smarter! Just try not to push yourself too hard. Remember: it is a gradual process.