Reflecting on important terms in this section:
1. Plasticity: term used to explain how the brain is modified with experience.
2. Neurogenesis: production of new cells in certain brain regions.
3. Executive Function: basic cognitive processes that underlie on-going, goal-directed behaviors and higher-order thinking skills.
One of the most important areas that I really think is important is the use of creativity in the classroom. Even with the amount of curriculum that is pushed on students, I think as educators it is important to find new and creative ways to teach our students. By making the classroom a creative place, I believe that we can expand children's creative thinking and problem solving skills.
That leads me to believe that more art programs should be used in our schools. According to the text, research has reported that there is a tight correlation between the study of arts and improvement in attention and various cognitive abilities.
Friday, January 31, 2014
The Brain-Targeted Pgs.1-26 Neuro-Myths
Neuromyths:
When looking at neuromyths, I found it absolutely astonishing how many myths are out there and how many we believe. I think one of the biggest reasons that we come to believe so many of these myths such as "listening to Mozart will make your baby smarter" is because many companies are talking us into it. For example, look at the Baby Einstein series where they promise the parent that their baby will get smarter from listening to their DVDs. In this particular example, you want your baby to be smart so you buy what everyone is raving about and hope that it works.
Teaching to other's learning style was another very believed myth when I was growing up. We would take placement type tests to see what kind of learning style worked best for us and than try to gear our own study practices to this style. According to the text 90% of people were in belief that this was how educators should be finding out how to teach their students and should gear their teaching to those styles. How could ONE educator do that for classrooms that were pushing 20 different students?? I don't think it was ever possible but more of a plan for companies to obtain more money on selling products to teachers to help in this journey.
When looking at neuromyths, I found it absolutely astonishing how many myths are out there and how many we believe. I think one of the biggest reasons that we come to believe so many of these myths such as "listening to Mozart will make your baby smarter" is because many companies are talking us into it. For example, look at the Baby Einstein series where they promise the parent that their baby will get smarter from listening to their DVDs. In this particular example, you want your baby to be smart so you buy what everyone is raving about and hope that it works.
I must admit that I was one of those Mom's too and I don't think it made my child any smarter than she is today. I fell into that gap where other mom's were recommending it so I purchased it too.
Teaching to other's learning style was another very believed myth when I was growing up. We would take placement type tests to see what kind of learning style worked best for us and than try to gear our own study practices to this style. According to the text 90% of people were in belief that this was how educators should be finding out how to teach their students and should gear their teaching to those styles. How could ONE educator do that for classrooms that were pushing 20 different students?? I don't think it was ever possible but more of a plan for companies to obtain more money on selling products to teachers to help in this journey.
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