Post on 08-May-2015
Dr. Paul A. Rodriguez
Brain Specialization and Learning
Brain Lateralization
•The brain is able to perform unique functions particular to one hemisphere. In complex tasks, both hemispheres are engaged.
•Left hemisphere processes external stimuli such as: speech , interprets words and evaluates material.•Right hemisphere processes internal messages by gathering information and looking for patterns.
Hemispheric PreferenceLeft Hemisphere Functions
Right Hemisphere Functions
Connected to right side of the body
Processes input in a sequential and analytical manner
Time-sensitiveGenerates spoke n
languageDoes invariable and
arithmetic operationsSpecializes in
recognizing words and numbers
Connected to the left side of the body
Processes input more holistically and abstractly
Space –sensitive Interprets language
through gestures, facial movements, emotions, and body language
Does relational and mathematical operations
Specializes in recognizing faces, places, objects, and music
The Gender Connection
Males Females Less gray matter than females ,
with more in left hemisphere than right .
Higher white matter than females, with the same in both hemispheres.
Cerebral spinal fluid is higher than in males.
Corpus callosum is smaller and thinner in females.
Language areas is located almost exclusively in left hemisphere.
Amygdala grows faster in teenage boys.
Hippocampus grows slower in teenage boys than in girls.
o Gray matter is the same in both hemispheres.
o Lower percentage of white matter than males.
o Cerebral spinal fluid is lower than men.o Corpus callosum is larger and thicker
than in males. o Language areas are in the left
hemisphere.o Amygdala grows slower in teenage
girls than in boys.o Hippocampus grows faster in teenage
girls than in boys.
Possible Causes of Gender Differences
The Effects of Hormones influence brain development differently in the sexes. Example with testosterone and boys.
The Effects of Natural Selection have fostered structural changes in the brain that are specific to each gender.
The Impact of the Environment studies indicate that boys’ and girls’ acuity of senses do not develop identically in both genders.
The Empathizing Female and Systemizing Male according to Simon Baron-Cohen (2003) proposes that female brains are wired for empathy, and that male brains are wired for systemizing.
Schools and Hemispheric Preference Left-Hemisphere
Schools-Structured
environments that run according to time schedules, favor facts and rules over patterns, and offer verbal instruction
Impact on Mathematics and Science
-Male and female brains deal differently with numbers and computation. Both boys and girls are on a level playing field.
Spoken Language SpecializationLearning Sounds Called Phonemes Learning GrammarThe total number of
phonemes in the world languages is around 90, which represents the maximum number of sounds that the human voice apparatus can create (Beatty, 2001).
Practice in speaking and adult correction helps children decode the mysteries of grammar’s irregularities. Prolonged television watching can impair the growth of young brains (Zimmerman & Christakis, 2005).
Learning Spoken LanguageLanguage Delay to two years is inherited,
and thus represents a distinct disorder not easily remedied by environmental interventions (Dale et al.,1998).
Implications are that the brain’s ability to acquire spoken language is at its peak in the early years, students benefit from a create a rich environment that includes lots of communication activities
Learning To ReadIs Reading a Natural Ability? -No areas of the brain specializes in
reading. -Learning to read requires three neural
systems: -Understanding -Auditory Processing -Visual Processing
Skills Involved in Reading
-Phonological and phonemic awareness -Alphabetic principle and phonics -Vocabulary -Fluency -Text comprehension
Problems in Learning to Read
Linguistic Causes Nonlinguistic Causes -Phonological deficits -Differences in
auditory and visual processing speeds
-Structural differences in the brain
-Phonological memory deficits
-Genetics and gender -Brain lesions in the
word processing areas -Word-blindness
-Perception of sequential sounds
-Sound-frequency discrimination
-Detection of target sounds in noise
-Motor coordination and the cerebellum
-Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder
Reference How the Brain Learns by David A. Sousa