The Brain and Hands-On Learning: Debunking Myths

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Diane Devenyi

Guest Writer At GSGF

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5 Debunked Brain Myths and 1 that Needs to be Debunked

Recent breakthroughs in neuroscience have debunked several myths about the brain and learning. Here are five beliefs that are now proven wrong:

  1. Fixed Brain Capacity: It was once believed that the brain’s capabilities and intelligence were fixed and unchangeable after a certain age. In 1987,  I was given a book when my first son was born that said I had three years to prepare his brain for learning before his learning capacity would steadily decrease for the rest of his life. Fortunately, neuroscience has shown that the brain is highly plastic throughout life, meaning it can reorganize itself by forming new neural connections in response to learning and experience. Phew!
  2. We Only Use 10% of Our Brain: This common myth suggests that 90% of the brain is inactive. In reality, neuroimaging shows that almost all parts of the brain have a known function and are active at various times. What is true about using our brain, however, is that we lose what we don’t use. Lifelong learning keeps us sharp, especially when we seek out new topics and ways of learning.
  3. Critical Periods Limit Learning: While early childhood is a crucial time for developing certain skills, the concept of an immutable “critical period” after which learning becomes impossible is outdated. Adults can also learn new skills and languages, although it might require more effort and different strategies. My oldest student to date was 77 years old, and three years later he still loves impressing people with his alphabet superpowers.
  4. Learning Styles are Fixed: The idea that people learn best through a single mode of learning, such as visual, auditory, or kinesthetic, is overly simplistic. Research suggests that effective learning depends more on the nature of the material being learned and less on an individual’s preferred learning style. Studies show that benefits from hands-on learning include increased engagement and retention ability for all learners.
  5. Intelligence is Solely Inherited: While genetics play a role in cognitive abilities, intelligence is highly influenced by the environment. Educational experiences, nutrition, and interaction with others all play significant roles in cognitive development and can greatly enhance intellectual capacities.
 

The past 20 years have been groundbreaking and the potential for new approaches to learning differences is ripe with possibility. Where to begin?

Not so fast. I have another myth to bust and this one is not on anyone’s radar yet. This one appears to be about literacy, but the implications reach far beyond reading and writing.

Ready for it?

 

Myth 6: Learning the alphabet by looking at 2D letters or playing with magnetic or sandpaper letters provides an adequate foundation for all learners.

Truth:

The way we teach the alphabet is stunting our collective human creativity given what neuroscience has shown about the way neurons communicate, have unlimited growth potential and benefit from engaging more of the brain through active, multisensory learning. 

Woah, what?

Here’s my thought process:

Engaging students in active learning techniques has been linked to a variety of positive outcomes, such as deeper understanding, increased motivation, and better retention of information. Plus

  • Enhanced Engagement and Motivation
  • Improved Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills
  • Better Retention of Material
  • Development of Soft Skills
  • Encouragement of Lifelong Learning
 

Because hands-on learning is so beneficial for learning, literacy education should include hands-on activities to freshen up traditional methods that have left significant gaps.

It goes even further, however, when you consider how critical first learning experiences are for developing

  • a growth mindset (see Myth 4)
  • maintaining innate curiosity
  • developing creative problem-solving skills
  • feeling connected to others and
  • having confidence in one’s value.
 

This means that when teaching essential alphabet mastery skills we are setting up every person with a blueprint for their access to innate human genius and a love of learning. When we ignore the impact of the body, we lose a critical opportunity to fully develop our unique humanness in an increasingly technical world.

What can humans achieve if we all relearn our alphabet with hands-on mastery?

Tune in next week to learn about what alphabet mastery includes and how it can evolve humanity…

Happy to be a guest writer for Green Schools Green Future because they fit and support an amazing & proactive curriculum!! Support them with your donation to get the first Green School to be built in Ontario!!! Greenschoolsgreenfuture.org/foundation

 
Educational Myth Busting For HR, educators, & PD enthusiasts: Uncover innovative strategies to adapt, connect, and communicate with joy!
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