Brain-based Online Learning/ Teaching (B.O.L.T.)

101 Part 1: Brain Wiring for FiringDawn Giannoni, PhD

Giannoni, D.L. The Online Learning Brain: Part 1

The Association for Brain Leadership

• A neuron is a nerve cell. The brain is made up of approximately 100 billion

neurons!!.

Synaptic PlasticityNeurons –aren’t they cute? ..and those little reaching branches at the end

of them are called dendrites …these are growing based on activity.… the activity “appears” as little flashes (like lightening BOLTS)...which are actually electro-chemical charges that shoot through synapses (at the end of the neuron).

These “charges” arc over what is termed the synaptic cleft, and ultimately lead to changing the brain, creating increased neural communication pathways

which end in more robust learning.

Of course, this short explanation is a HUGE over-simplification…

…. it is actually a very intricate process in whichneurons communicate with each other through the synapses,

but when they do, the transmission of chemicals called neurotransmitters (and there are both negative and positive electro-chemical neurotransmitters)

actually influence the brain to either impede or to optimize learning.

The brain can continually “re-wire” itself (synaptic plasticity) as your neuronsare firing and growing, new dendrites

are growing and making new pathways!

And so the brain actually changes structure,

throughout our lives, as it LEARNS NEW Information

Brain Lightening:The Firing Neurons

NoveltyThe Brain is Wired to Seek :

Newness, Discovery,Adventure!

Emotional ConnectionMemories and Learning

Safety High Challenge /Low

Threat

Optimizing Learning

Today we will just look at 3 facts we

know are true about The Brain and Learning

…and How To Optimize Learning for

Ourselves and Our Students

Brain Firing NeuronsIt all comes down to communications!

You communicate to brains; receptor brains (your students’ brains) begin to take that communication and their brains’ neurons then begin

to communicate one to another taking the new information, and ultimately storing it.

and these connections result in LEARNING

Neurons communicate to each other throughElectro-Chemical Firing……..at the synaptic cleft– the information arcs over this cleft andcommunicates new information…forms new pathways…through forming new dendrites

(branches) also could be explained as “re-wiring” the brain to form new learning conduits.

When Neurons are rapidly firing – the BRAIN is wiring!

1) Challenge = GOOD!

2) Good Emotional Connection to combine with the learning event = GOOD!

3) Novelty –not just the information has to be newbut the presentation… if novel…

can produce a similar result! = GOOD!

How to make learning NOT WORK…

1) Non-safety- and NO or low challenge = BAD2) Emotionally BAD connection: stress/anxiety

3) BORING (vs. Novelty) = BAD

NOW THAT WE KNOW SOME OF HOW NEURONS WORK TO MAKE CONNECTIONS

IN MEMORY AND LEARNING…

REMEMBER THE 3 FACTS WE STARTED WITH?

But how can we do this Online ??

Wiring for Firing:Lighting up the Brain

Let me ask you!

1) Safety First: Creating a “Safe” Online Classroom or communicating a Sense of Security

***Low Threat / High Challenge***Striking the Balance

2) Making Emotional Connections OnlinePositivity Connects Information to Memory

Negativity Short Circuits Learning

3) Novelty:New Information

Couched and/or CombinedWith Novel Approaches

WHAT CAN YOU DO OR DO YOU ALREADY DOTO HELP BRAINS LEARN IN YOUR ONLINE CLASSROOM?

The Association for Brain Leadership, Inc.

Anyone Remember the 3 Areas We Focused on Today??

Giannoni, D.L. The Online Learning Brain: Part 1 in a Series

The Association for Brain Leadership