This June, yet another article was published in MeriNews by Dr. Lalit Kishore on educational policy and neuroscience. Although the article is very basic, it provides information and research that our educational policy makers should consider as they design our systems of education.
Brain education to develop and manifest potential
The research is not only neuroscientifically sound, but helps students learn more effectively. Dr. Kishore’s article follows: one every educator ought to read and use for classroom planning.
Due to a large number of recent studies in neuroscience, a special area of education called brain education has come up as a discipline with its implications for classroom instruction and living a wholesome life.
Brain Education (BE) is meant to develop innate human capacity to reach education, performance, health, well-being, graceful calmness and mental potentials like creativity through managing our brain effectively.
Basic premise of brain education is “I think I can” leading to “I can do, I did”. Studies reveal that the brain is a powerhouse of potentials and energy levels or spirit that when mastered can make anything manifest. Techniques developed in the knowledge area of the brain education help you unfold your immense potentials locked in your brain.
In Focus
Scientific literature informs that each of these two hemispheres of the brain has an outer layer of grey matter called the cerebral cortex that is supported by an inner layer of white matter. The hemispheres are linked by the corpus callosum, a very large bundle of nerve fibers, and also by other smaller commissures.
It has been found that these commissures transfer information between the two hemispheres to coordinate localized functions. While some of these hemispheric distribution differences are consistent across human beings, many observable distribution differences vary from individual to individual due to differences in learning experiences.
The research in neuroscience also has revealed that the linear reasoning; functions of language such as grammar and word production are often lateralized to the left hemisphere of the brain. In contrast, holistic reasoning functions of language such as intonation and emphasis are often lateralized to the right hemisphere of the brain.
Other integrative functions of the human brain such as intuitive or heuristic, arithmetic, binaural sound localization, emotions, etc. seem to be more bilaterally controlled by the brain as per Wikipedia.
Education is more related to development and nurture of the potentials of the mind and the brain. Our educational and instructional practices must combine the functions of the two sides of the brain. This is also required for gender equity in education since females make use of the right hemisphere of the brain to learn which is often neglected in academic institutions. This requires making use of visuals, imagery, music and cooperative learning techniques for classroom instruction.
Are educational policy makers and teachers listening!
All of us as educators should be paying attention to this vital information as we design the educational systems that impact our students. I believe it is essential to their learning, growth and success.
Gerry Vassar, President/CEO, Lakeside Educational Network
