Neuro Processes of the Brain

Why We Teach the way We Do

Ghene’t Lee-YongEDU417

Instructor: Joanna Savarese-Levine1/24/2016

Basic Anatomy of the Brain

Neurotransmitters effect on Memory and Learning How much a person is able to remember directly effects their learning ability. Taking what someone knows and ten using it to solve problems is a determining factor in success in schooling. The effectiveness of neurotransmitters is dependent on the sensory input a person receives and how often the brain is exposed to this input. In other words experiences dictates the efficiency of the brain’s neurotransmitters.

https://www.google.com/search?q=picture+of+the+brain&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiyosSrhr7KAhXEWz4KHVAZBkkQsAQIHA&biw=1366&bih=667#imgrc=b1cWfeFii2ESKM%3A

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8orIQL3S1l4Brain Mapping videoThis video helps to visualize what is happening in the brain.

What are NeurotransmittersThe Brain is alive with electricity and communicating neurons and synapses. Neurotransmitters are the chemical that allow communication and message transmission to and from neural synapses. The Webster Dictionary definition is as follows: a chemical substance that is released at the end of a nerve fiber by the arrival of a nerve impulse and, by diffusing across the synapse or junction, causes the transfer of the impulse to another nerve fiber, a muscle fiber, or some other structure.

Acetylcholine: This was the first chemical neurotransmitter found in the brain. It is also the most abundant neurotransmitter in the brain. In the ANS (Autonamic Nervous System) It is responsible for muscle function and activation. “In the CNS, (Central Nervous System) acetylcholine modulates between various neurons in areas of the brain that control motivation, arousal and attention.” (Cherry, Kendra 2015).

Serotonin: Because serotonin is found in the spinal cord at the bas of the neck and in various areas throughout the brain it effects mood and can either excite or inhibit the cell passing the message from one nerve cell to another.

There are over 100 neurotransmitters in the brain. These are the most well known.(Wolfe, Patricia (2010-09-30).

Acetylcholine, Serotonin, and Dopamine are three neurotransmitters in the brain. They effect function both in brain information interface and in motor functioning of the body.

Dopamine : This neurotransmitter is a very important transmitter. It is responsible for transmission of information to various areas throughout the brain and therefore effects memory and cognition. It also “plays a critical role in the way our brain controls our movements and is thought to be a crucial part of the basal ganglia motor loop. The shortage of dopamine, particularly the death of dopamine neurons in the nigrostriatal pathway, is a cause of Parkinson's disease, in which a person loses the ability to execute smooth, controlled movements.” (www.psychologistworld.com 2016).

Why we Play Outdoors Everyday-

The role of these neurotransmitters on movement in conjunction with information transfer emphasizes the importance of movement on learning and neuroplasticity. Exercise effects learning in various ways. The first way it influences learning is an increase in blood flow to cells of the body including to the brain. With blood comes necessary oxygen dispersal. The basic nourishment of the body’s cells. “More blood means more oxygen, which increases capillary health and the growth and plasticity of the frontal lobes” (Aamodt & Wang, 2008). The graphic on slide 1 shows that this area is responsible for problem solving and attention among other functions. (Wolfe, Patricia (2010-09-30)

Second: “the release of protein IGF-1, which triggers the release of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which, in turn, stimulates neural growth and learning” (Cozolino, 2008). (Wolfe, Patricia (2010-09-30).

Third: The most important way exercise helps learning is on the brain’s neurogenesis. Its ability to regenerate new cells. “Recent research by Scott Small, a neurologist at the Columbia University Medical Center, and Fred Gage, a neurobiologist at the Salk Institute in San Diego, has shown that exercise can also induce neurogenesis in humans (Patoine, 2007). (Wolfe, Patricia (2010-09-30).

Playing outside is not the only way to get exercise. Yoga, acting out stories and dancing are great indoor activities that help to work out a student’s cardiovascular and neural systems.

More information on how the brain benefits from movement can be found at http://breakingmuscle.com/natural-movement/move-your-body-move-your-brain-training-for-neuroplasticity

SleepThere is no doubt that sleep has a great influence on the brain and learning. Getting a good night’s rest is vital to neuroplasticity.

Information is not automatically transferred from t short-term memory to long-term memory. It takes time to be consolidated into usable formats. Sleep is when the brain does this. During sleep, “the brain's two memory structures, the hippocampus and the neocortex, communicate with each other to increase the probability that information is retained” (Wolfe, Patricia (2010-09-30).

Dang-Vu TT1, Desseilles M, Peigneux P, Maquet P. (2006), researched the effect of sleep on learning. They found many correlations to the amount of sleep and retention of information. They also found that “recent works show the modulation during sleep of cerebral protein synthesis and expression of genes involved in neuronal plasticity.”

Nutrition

Nutrition is also another key feature in brain development and learning. The nutrients needed for healthy cell growth are found in many raw foods, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and legumes.

Studies show that foods high in omega-3 fatty acid particularly DHA, iron, zinc, folic acid and vitamins A, B6, B12 and C are best for brain and heart health.(Stuart Wolpert (2008)

TechnologyA loaded word, technology is amongst one of the worries parents have when it comes to the brain development of their child. It is ironic that technology which has given us the many answers to questions we have, has given us the ability to look into the human body- including the brain- and discover its many mysteries is also seen in disagreeable light when it comes to the education on the young learner.

As with other things moderation is important. As we have seen, the brain is change and effected by what it is exposed to. Screen time is no different. What and how much screen time a young learner takes in is important. Reading for uninterupted periods of time results in “faster completion and better understanding, recall, and learning than those who read text filled with hyperlinks and ads. Reading also develops reflection, critical thinking, problem solving, and vocabulary better than visual media.”

Yet, technology is not without its benefits, “video games and other screen media improve visual-spatial capabilities, increase attentional ability, reaction times, and the capacity to identify details among clutter. Not having to retain information in our brain may allow it to engage in more “higher-order” processing such as contemplation, critical thinking, and problem solving.”

This means that above all else moderation must be practiced. Video games and T.V. are okay only if reading books, playing games and outdoor play is equally emphasized in daily routines.

References

Cherry, Kendra (2015) What Is Acetylcholine? http://psychology.about.com/od/aindex/g/acetylcholine.htm

Dang-Vu TT1, Desseilles M, Peigneux P, Maquet P. (2006) A role for sleep in brain plasticity. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16449068

N.A. (2016) Dopamine Neurotransmitter http://www.psychologistworld.com/biological/neurotransmitters/dopamine.php

Rosling, Claire (n.d.) Serotonin as a neurotransmitter http://www.chm.bris.ac.uk/motm/serotonin/serotonin%20as%20a%20neurotransmitter.htm

Stuart Wolpert (2008) Scientists learn how what you eat affects your brain — and those of your kids http://newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/scientists-learn-how-food-affects-52668

Taylor, Jim Ph.D. (2012) How Technology is Changing the Way Children Think and Focus https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-power-prime/201212/how-technology-is-changing-the-way-children-think-and-focus

Wolfe, Patricia (2010-09-30). Brain Matters: Translating Research into Classroom Practice, 2nd Edition (Kindle Locations 2590-2592). Association for Supervision & Curriculum Development. Kindle Edition.