The+Brain+and+Learning

The brain is a complex organ in the human body. How it functions, especially as it pertains to the task of learning, is still a mystery that generates enormous interest in various fields of science. For teachers, the field of brain-based learning is of unique interest because we actively engage a student's mind in the process of gaining knowledge and skills through study and experience. We must challenge ourselves to understand as much as possible about how the brains (minds) of our students function so that we can be better prepared to effectively teach them. This page is devoted to the resources and ideas connected to teaching, learning, and the brain.

1. Some pioneering work in brain-based learning was done by Eric Jensen. He is a former middle school teacher and adjunct professor for the University of California, San Diego. He co-founded the Brain Store and the Learning Brain EXPO and has written 21 books on the brain and learning. His most recent book is //Enriching the Brain// (Jossey-Bass, 2006). He currently is a doctoral student in Media Psychology at Fielding Graduate University, Santa Barbara, Calif. This is a recent article from him that appeared in Phi Delta Kappan. [|A Fresh Look at Brain-based Education]

2. **All Kinds of Minds**, an institute whose mission is to help students who struggle with learning, measurably improve their success in school and life by providing programs that integrate educational, scientific, and clinical expertise. All Kinds of Minds is a 501(c) 3-compliant, non-profit, charitable institute. They have a research page that is devoted to some of the recent research in areas of learning, memory, attention, language, high-order thinking and others. [|Homepage of All Kinds of Minds] [|Research at All Kinds of Minds]

3. **New Horizons for Learning** has a page devoted to some of the recent articles in the field of neuroscience. In the list, there are a number of articles (links provided) devoted to the study of the learning process--the brain and learning. For example, 12 Brain/Mind Learning Principles in Action, Renate Caine, Education professor introduces her twelve organizing principles for how the brain/mind learns and how to use that information to enhance student learning. [|Neuroscience articles from New Horizons]

4. This video on Edutopia gives a good overview of a school in IN, Key Learning Community, that is based on MI model. The challenges with NCLB. Worth viewing. Also, the recent edition of Edutopia Magazine has some wonderful articles on MI.

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