Learning and the brain

Learning and the brain is a topic that is characterized by a plethora of information, diverging views and questionable practices. Some of the valuable peer-reviewed journal articles on the topic are indicated below.

What does the brain have to do with learning?

This article by Worden, Hinton & Fischer, (2011) bemoans the undesirable lack of collaboration between neuroscientists and educationists resulting in the precipitation and proliferation of brain-based learning programs founded on numerous neuroscience myths. 

Brain-(not) Based Education: Dangers of Misunderstanding and Misapplication of Neuroscience Research

Alferink and Farmer-Dougan (2010) also highlight a number of neuroscience myths and sound a warning on the “dangers of misunderstanding and misapplication of neuroscience research” findings in education. While the authors suggest that neuroscience has the potential to be applied in special education, they call for more research.

Mind, Brain, and Education: Building a Scientific Groundwork for Learning and Teaching

In this article, Fischer (2009) explains that “the emerging field of Mind, Brain, and Education (MBE) aims to bring together biology, cognitive science, development, and education to create a strong research foundation for education” (p. 3). This collaboration is supported by a number of researchers such as Tommerdahl (2010), author of A model for bridging the gap between neuroscience and education, and Goswami (2004), author of Neuroscience and education.

It is only through collaboration that education will reap the benefits of neuroscience research.

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References

Alferink, L.A. & Farmer-Dougan, V. (2010). Brain-(not) based education: dangers of misunderstanding and misapplication of neuroscience research and brain based education. Exceptionality, 18(1),42-52.

Fischer, K.W. (2009). Mind, brain, and education: building a scientific groundwork for learning and teaching. International Mind, Brain, and Education Society  and Wiley Periodicals, Inc, 3(1), 3-16.

Goswami, U. (2004) Neuroscience and education. British Journal of Educational Psychology, 31, 175–183.

Tommerdahl, J. (2010). A model for bridging the gap between neuroscience and education. Oxford Review of Education, 36(1, 97–109.

Worden, J.M., Hinton, C. & Fischer, K.W. (2011). What does the brain have to do with learning? Phi Delta Kappan, 92(8), 8-13.