Growing Your BrainGrowing Your Brain

What Research Says about What Research Says about Brain-Based Teaching and Brain-Based Teaching and

LearningLearning

Two MindsetsTwo Mindsets

The brain is fixedThe brain is fixed– We are born smart, dumb, or averageWe are born smart, dumb, or average– We can’t change what we areWe can’t change what we are– Intelligence is the result of our genesIntelligence is the result of our genes

The brain is malleableThe brain is malleable– We are all born with the chance to be “smart”We are all born with the chance to be “smart”– Our brains change in response to useOur brains change in response to use– Intelligence is the result of exercisingIntelligence is the result of exercising

our brainsour brains

The Brain is Not FixedThe Brain is Not Fixed

We are NOT born with all the brain cells We are NOT born with all the brain cells we will ever have.we will ever have.

The brain grows new nerve cells (neurons) The brain grows new nerve cells (neurons) throughout life.throughout life.

A protein called BDNF (Brain-Derived A protein called BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor) stimulates neural Neurotrophic Factor) stimulates neural growth (“growth (“neurogenesis”).neurogenesis”).

BDNF levels increase with exercise!BDNF levels increase with exercise!

Learning = New Brain ConnectionsLearning = New Brain Connections

Learning new information creates new Learning new information creates new connections between neurons in the brainconnections between neurons in the brain

New connections are slow & weak at firstNew connections are slow & weak at first

Repetition and practice strengthen new Repetition and practice strengthen new connections, speeding up retrievalconnections, speeding up retrieval

Stress hormones (adrenalineStress hormones (adrenalineand cortisol) inhibit this process.and cortisol) inhibit this process.

Exercise Your Brain!Exercise Your Brain!

The brain is like a muscleThe brain is like a muscle– As muscles grow stronger with exercise, the As muscles grow stronger with exercise, the

brain grows smarter the more you use it!brain grows smarter the more you use it!

Reading and learning exercise the brainReading and learning exercise the brain

Give yourself a “brain workout” everydayGive yourself a “brain workout” everyday

Learners Benefit from this InfoLearners Benefit from this Info

Learners with a “Fixed” brain mindset:Learners with a “Fixed” brain mindset:– Equate failure with being “dumb”Equate failure with being “dumb”– Are more inclined to cheat & lie about scoresAre more inclined to cheat & lie about scores– Feel helpless and are likely to give up easilyFeel helpless and are likely to give up easily

Learners with a “Growth” brain mindsetLearners with a “Growth” brain mindset– Equate failure with not working hard enoughEquate failure with not working hard enough– Value Value learninglearning more than “looking smart” or more than “looking smart” or

earning high scores/gradesearning high scores/grades– Feel in control of learning; motivated to study Feel in control of learning; motivated to study

harderharder

What You Can DoWhat You Can Do

Teach your students about their brainsTeach your students about their brains

Reinforce a brain growth mindsetReinforce a brain growth mindset

Give students a chance to exercise (even Give students a chance to exercise (even just stand up and stretch/walk for 5 min)just stand up and stretch/walk for 5 min)

Take actions to reduce stress & anxiety in Take actions to reduce stress & anxiety in the classroomthe classroom

ReferencesReferences

www.brainology.uswww.brainology.us

www.brainrules.netwww.brainrules.net