Brain-Compatible Learning Environments - The Advantages

Brain-Compatible Learning Environments - The Advantages

Brain-compatible learning environments: What are the advantages?

Brain-based learning looks to produce a more effective learning process to assist the student by understanding how the brain learns and delivering the most efficient learning environment possible. It is best understood in three words: engagement, strategies, and principles (Jensen, 2008, pg. 4). Brain-based education is the active engagement of purposeful strategies based on principles derived from neuroscience (Jensen, 2008, pg. 4). It is learning in accordance with the way the brain is naturally designed to learn (Jensen, 2008, pg. 4). This paper will discuss the advantages of the ‘curriculum – what is taught,’ ‘instruction – how it is taught,’ ‘environment – where it is taught,’ and ‘assessment – how it can be measured.’
Current brain studies underscore the important role adults play in facilitating an early stimulating environment for children [   (Green, 1999) ]. Calling for classrooms that are closely related to real-world environments, Green believes curricula must include many sensory, cultural, and problem layers that stimulate the brain's neural networks [   (Green, 1999) ]. There is much evidence that individual’s do not all learn in the same way [   (Green, 1999) ]. If we require students to receive information in a way which does not correspond with their personal dominant learning modes, to perform under conditions which interfere with their learning, or to demonstrate their learning in a manner which does not allow them to use their strengths, artificial stress is created, motivation is reduced, and performance results are depressed [   (Green, 1999) ]. In contrast, we must take the responsibility for teaching diverse learners and break from the tradition that uniform practices are effective for all [   (Green, 1999) ].
Educators must be willing to develop individual learning profiles for each student and prepare for complex instruction (Green, 1999). Complex...