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Learning & The Brain Notes from 2/10 Conference Lynn Fishman Hellerstein, O.D., FCOVD, FAAO...
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Transcript of Learning & The Brain Notes from 2/10 Conference Lynn Fishman Hellerstein, O.D., FCOVD, FAAO...
Learning & The BrainNotes from 2/10 Conference
Lynn Fishman Hellerstein, O.D., FCOVD, FAAO
303-850-9499
Neuroplasticity Research
Our brain is a dynamic system that has the capability of significant growth.
Rudraprosad Chakraborty, M.D.
J Indian Med Assoc 2007;105(9)
Neuroplasticity Research
Neuroplasticity research has established, beyond doubt, that instead of being a static cell mass, our brain is actually a
dynamic system of neural networks that has the capability of significant growth
under favorable circumstances.
Rudraprosad Chakraborty, M.D.J Indian Med Assoc 2007;105(9)
Neuroplasticity Research
Research shows that adults do, in fact, exhibit neuroplasticity. You can use this innate ability to treat a variety of
visual system disorders.
Dominick M. Maino, O.D., M.Ed.
Review Optometry (1/09)
Neuroplasticity & Visual System Disorders
Neuroplasticity as a Proposed Mechanism for the Efficacy of Optometric Vision
Therapy and RehabilitationHuang JC. J Behav Optom 2009;20:96-100
…70% all sensory input fibers to brain is related to vision and visual processing, optometrists can play a major role in the rehabilitation of visually-related deficits
Research - Stress
Relaxation responsephysical and emotional responses
to stress can be changed
State of deep rest that decreases metabolism, slows the heart beat, relaxes the muscles, slows breathing, reduced BP,
increases nitric oxide
ResearchStress
If practiced-lasting effects
Herbert Benson’s Harvard “Relaxation Response”
http://www.mbmi.org/basics/whatis.asp
Research Emotions, Mind & Body - Candace Pert PhD
Emotions are both energy and matter and are the communication bridge between
the mind and body.
Suggests the body is the subconscious
Emotions and thoughts effect our body, but are not permanently hard- wired
The 2nd Brain
• Dr. Michael Gerson
• Chair Anatomy & Physiology Columbia Medical Center
• 100M Neurons in the gut – Esophagus-Anus
• Gut does much more than digests
• Impacts emotions & moods
Research - Visualization
Same parts of the brain light up on MRI when person looks at an actual object,
or if they imagine the same object in their mind
Basketball Study
Evolve Your Brain: The Science of Changing Your Mind by Dr. Joe Dispenza 2007
“What the Bleep”http://www.drjoedispenza.com
Research - Visualization
We can release our emotions and thoughts and rewire our neuro-
networks
This is how visualization can affect physical/brain changes
Is Vision Therapy Just for Kids?
Dr. Susan Barry
12 Brain Rules – John Medina Ph.D.
The brain is an amazing thing. Most of us have no idea what’s really going on inside our heads. Yet brain scientists have uncovered details every business leader, parent, and teacher should know. Dr. John Medina- Developmental Molecular Biologist
12 Brain Rules
1. Exercise boosts brain power
2. Human brain evolved too
3. Every brain is wired differently
4. We don’t pay attention to boring things
5. Repeat to remember
6. Remember to repeat
12 Brain Rules
7. Sleep well, think well8. Stressed brains don’t learn the same
way9. Stimulate more of the senses10.VISION trumps all other senses
WE SEE WITH OUR BRAINS
11.Male and female brains are different12.We are powerful natural explorers
Brain Research
• Create an education environment opposed to what the brain is good at– Classroom
• Create a business environment opposed to what the brain is good at doing– Cubicle
• Want to change things?– Start over!
Intelligence Is BiologyRichard Haier, PhD
Brain structure and metabolic efficiency may underlie individual differences in
intelligence
Imaging research is pinpointing which regions are key players
Intelligence Is BiologyRichard Haier, PhD
Smart brains work in different way Women and men with same IQ show different
underlying brain architectures
Individual’s pattern of gray and white matter might underlie his specific cognitive
strengths & weaknesses
Intelligence Is BiologyRichard Haier, PhD
• What about new drugs & tools for cognitive enhancement?
• Scans instead of SAT?
Heredity, Environment, & Race Differences in IQ
Heredity, Environment, & Race Differences in IQ
• Black – white IQ gap is NOT hereditary
• Adoption and intervention programs produce substantial lasting effects on black IQ
• At-risk kids- need intervention
Mindset – Robert Brooks
Mindset – Robert BrooksAssumptions & Expectations we have
about self and others guide our behaviorStrategies are worthless unless you
believe in them & yourself
Mindset – Robert BrooksWith kids with learning problems, need to
change their mindsetsMotivating environment:
– People being cooperative– Willing to learn from each other– Willing to take risks because they feel safe &
secure– All parties feel a sense of ownership
Cultivating Emotional Intelligence
Charlotte Reznick, Ph.D
Cultivating Emotional Intelligence
Emotions guide cognitive learningHelps kids to build a set of academic
“intuitions” about how, when, and why to use their new knowledge
Cultivating Emotional Intelligence
• 11% increase in standardized testing with Social Emotional Learning
• Bathing suit study
• Relaxation
How Your Child Learns Best
How Your Child Learns Best
What is the biggest fear of students?– Not being liked by the teacher
– Bad grades
– Making a mistake in front of the class
How Your Child Learns Best
What is the biggest fear of students?– Making a mistake in front of the class
How Your Child Learns Best
Everything we learn comes to the brain through our senses
Brain can’t process billions of bits of info every sec.
Equipped with filters to protect from overload & focus on the data most critical for survival.
How Your Child Learns Best
Helping your child turn information into KNOWLEDGE
RAD Learning =
RAS + Amygdala + Dopamine
How Your Child Learns Best
RAS – Reticular activating system
Located at brain stem (lower back of brain)
Receives input from nerves from arms, legs, trunk, neck, face, internal organs
Sets the state of arousal alerts brain to change & gets it primed
How Your Child Learns Best
Selects for intake the sensory input (info) it “values” for survival or pleasure
RAS responsive to novelty, surprise, color, curious events
Lectures, drills & worksheets are NOT novel or engaging- don’t power info thru RAS brain filter
How Your Child Learns Best
Amygdala – next filter
Sensory data passes through brain’s emotional core, limbic system (amygdala & hippocampus)
Emotional significance is linked to infoKennedy
How Your Child Learns Best
When stress is high, amygdala diverts info to the reflex automatic system, non-thinking reactions (flight/fight)
When amygdala is in a safe state and emotions are positive, info is passed on to the memory-making and thinking networks in the brain
How Your Child Learns Best
Stress, boredom, frustration or confusion block the flow of info through amygdala to the thinking brain
When learning is associated with pleasure, the amygdala “stamps” that info with increased memory impact
How Your Child Learns Best
Dopamine – Neurotransmitter
Carry info across synapsesReleased when experience is
pleasurable
How Your Child Learns Best
Dopamine – Neurotransmitter
Elicited through humor, friends, achievement
Increases focus, attention and executive function in the frontal lobes
How Your Child Learns Best
You need brain-friendly strategies to empower your child
to respond to the most useful sensory input from the
environment and turn that data into retained knowledge
“I guide students in activities that helpthem focus and achieve positive moods
to prime themselves for learning. We practice techniques
to increase mindfulness.”
Dr. Judith Willis
“For example, students learn to do visualizations,
deliberately recalling in detail a place where they felt
happy, calm, and safe.”
Dr. Judith Willis
The more learners practice visualizing their particular calming place, the
stronger the neural network holding that
memory becomes;
Dr. Judith Willis
Eventually, the students can easily return to that memory
whenever they feel stressed.
Dr. Judith Willis
Returning to that safe place enables learners to let new information
that someone is presenting flow into their thinking brain rather than being filtered out.
Dr. Judith Willis
Neuroplasticity
When the action is repeated, the more dendrites sprout to connect new
memories to old ones, stronger the connections become, the more efficient the brain becomes at
retrieving that memory or action
How Your Child Learns Best
This teaches students how they can change their intelligence by
teaching them about their brains
I study because
I CAN CHANGE MY BRAIN
How Your Child Learns Best
http://www.ascd.org/ASCD/pdf/journals/ed_lead/el200912_willis.pdf
http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational_leadership/dec09/vol67/num04/How_to_Teach_Students_About_the_Brain.aspx
Practice Makes
PERMANENCE
Neuroplasticity
Neurons that fire together,
Wire together
Learning Promotes
Learning!Learning!