Brain Research to Education

Brain Research to Education

"The purpose of thinking is to arrange the world (in our minds) that we can apply emotions effectively. In the end it is emotion that makes the major decisions". Edward deBono

The Brain is the most complex organ known to humans. Humans have about 100 billion cells, yet when all are linked together the number of connections our brain can make is variously estimated to be as much as ten followed by millions of zeros, more than the estimated number of atoms in the known universe. The Amazing Brain. Ornstein and Sobel

"Each of the ten billion neurons in the human brain has a possibility of connections of one with twenty sight zeros after it. If a single neuron has this potential, we can hardly imagine what the whole brain can do." Professor Kouzmich. Moscow University.

We have been vastly underestimating the capacity of the learner. Our expectations have been too low for both the average and the best students.

Teaching in different learning styles so the potential of every learner can be accessed and using alternate forms of assessment to provide avenues for those who learn differently, is to provide a climate where every learner is respected, with multi-status, multi-age and multi-teamwork being utilized.

Nutrition and the Brain.

Proper nutrition can definitely boost thinking and learning. The ingredients in protein are critical to the brain. Tyrosine enhances thinking, and tryptophan slows it down.

Low income learners typically have carbohydrates for breakfast,(toast, bread, cereal) and this may impair thinking. Middle and upper income learners often have the more costly yoghurt, eggs, cheese, fresh fruits or lean ham, which provide the nutrients that can enhance learning. Managing your Mind and Mood Through Food. J. Wurtman.

"In study after study, convicts and inmates who had diets low in refined carbohydrates had significant reductions in disciplinary nehaviours....the complex carbohydrates and proteins in their diet seemed to be a ppositive factor.

....An experiment by Simeon and Grantham-Macgregor with 9-11 year olds showed that they became impulsive and had shorter attention spans when they skipped breakfast.

.....There are strongly fluctuating levels of blood sugar among the Qolla Indians of Peru, who are known as the most violent and aggressive tribes in the world. The Learning Brain. Eric Jensen. p153.

Students showing behaviour problems or weak learning skills may actually be exhibiting dietary problems.

Diet affects attention span, ability to focus and activity levels. Sugar affects behaviour, and when eaten with carbohydrates, the effect on the learner was worse.

When sugar was eaten with protein, the sugar was beneficial to the brain.

Carbohydrates are essential to the brain, but only when part pf a well balanced diet.The protective role of protein prevents overloading in the brain by various sugars and carbohydrates.

Many students under perform because of diet. Feeding the Brain. Connors

Water enhances Optimal Brain Function.

The average learner is often dehydrated. This dehydration leads to poor performance. Students drinking a glass of water before each lesson or having water bottles in class also have improved behaviour.

Brain specialists recommend 8-15 glasses of pure water a day depending on your size, weather and activity level. Athletes have learnt to boost water consumption for peak performances.

Students who are bored, listless, drowsy or who lack concentration may in fact be dehydrated. Learning to Learn. Ward and Daley.

Studies have also shown that students permitted to snack on protein and fresh fruit and vegetable snacks had better performance, but the counterpart snack of sugar adds to hyperactivity and poor performance. Sweets and processed fizzy drinks are usually consumed by inattentive, poor performance students.

Diet Programs need to be implemented in schools on a regular basis, with facts showing the community, in and beyond the school ,the detrimental effec