In the evolving landscape of education, we are always seeking innovative approaches to improve Learning outcomes. Neuroscience is one of the most exciting areas of study that has produced important implications for education—sometimes referred to as brain-based learning theory.

At its core, brain-based learning theory is an instructional approach that is grounded in the latest scientific research on how the brain learns. It informs teachers of practical, purposeful strategies that will boost student learning.

This article will explore the concept of brain-based learning, its key principles, benefits, and strategies for implementing it in the Classroom.

What is Brain-Based Learning?

Brain-based learning, as defined by the Glossary of Education Reform, refers to teaching methods, lesson designs, and school programs rooted in scientific research about how the brain learns. By examining the way that our brains receive, process, and store information, we can create an environment that boosts learning, engagement, and retention.

This approach focuses on neuroplasticity, or the ability of the brain to reorganize and form new synaptic connections. In education, this involves examining how the brain “rewires” when learning new concepts, as well as the factors that impact the brain’s ability to do so.

Strategies for brain-based learning are derived from research in related fields like social neuroscience, psychoimmunology, behavioral genetics, psychobiology, cognitive science, neuroscience, and physiology.

This approach considers factors like cognitive development as well as social and emotional growth and how these impact learning at different stages of life.

Key Principles of Brain-Based Learning

Research has demonstrated that the brain’s ability to process and retain information is impacted by things like exercise, diet, stress level, and emotional state.

Using this research, brain-based learning uses several key principles to guide and inform instruction, including:

• A positive classroom climate boosts learning.
• Active engagement enhances learning.
• Learning should be relevant and meaningful to real life.
• Incorporate multiple senses into instruction.
• Schedule time for feedback and reflection.

It is important to note that while these principles remain the same, children can learn differently as they become older and the principles may need to be adapted accordingly.

Advantages of Brain-Based Learning

In their article, “Understanding a Brain-Based Approach to Learning and Teaching,” Geoffrey Caine and Renate Nummela Caine determined that students had increased comprehension and retention in a brain-based learning environment compared to those in a traditional classroom.

There are many benefits to incorporating brain-based learning principles into classroom instruction:

• Increased retention of skills.
• Improved academic outcomes.
• Enhanced long-term memory.
• Better social-emotional skills, such as resilience, motivation, and growth mindset.

When we present information to our students in such a way that aligns with how our brains are designed to learn, we can provide more purposeful, effective instruction.

6 Brain-Based Learning Strategies for the Classroom

The brain-based learning approach isn’t one-size-fits-all. Not all brain-based learning strategies will work for all your students. It may take some trial and error to determine which works best.

By incorporating multiple brain-based learning strategies into your lessons, you can create an environment where all students thrive. Keep reading to learn more about six brain-based teaching strategies along with practical ideas for classroom application.

1. Create a positive classroom climate

Why it’s important: Research has shown that when a student’s sense of belonging increases, their engagement also increases. Emotions play a significant role in learning and memory. Creating a positive and supportive learning environment can enhance learning outcomes by reducing stress and anxiety, which can inhibit learning.

How to apply it in the classroom: When it comes to building a classroom community, there are many different strategies that you can use, depending on the age of your students.

Especially at the beginning of the year, when everyone is getting to know each other, be intentional with planning activities for students to develop positive relationships. Throughout the year, establish rituals that can build a strong classroom community and support emotional needs in the classroom.

• Icebreaker activities
• Morning meetings
• Daily greeting
• Class meetings
• Team-building activities

2. Teach mindfulness and stress-reduction techniques

Why it’s important: According to Katherine Weare’s article, Evidence for the Impact of Mindfulness on Children and Young People, “There is also good evidence from neuroscience and brain imaging that mindfulness meditation reliably and profoundly alters the structure and function of the brain to improve the quality of both thought and feeling.”

How to apply it in the classroom: There are many ways to incorporate mindfulness into your daily routines. Many activities can be adapted for your students’ age level.

Oftentimes, all it takes is a few minutes of mindfulness to reset and refocus. Some of our favorite mindfulness resources include:

• Calm Classroom
• Calm
• Child Mind Institute
• Headspace for Educators

3. Get students moving

Why it’s important: Emerging research has shown that movement has a positive impact on learning. Even short, active breaks can increase student motivation, productivity, and creativity.

How to apply it in the classroom: Incorporating movement into your lessons can be as simple as taking a brain break.

There are also many other innovative ways to add gross and fine motor movements into your lessons:

• Ask students to act out concepts. For example, the students can “become” liquid, create a quadrilateral with their classmates, or act out a literary scene.
• During classroom discussions, consider having students mill about the room or move to another area to answer questions.
• Have students move around the room to physically represent their answer to a question. For example, label each corner of the room with a letter and give students a multiple-choice question. Ask students to move to the corner to demonstrate their answer.

4. Differentiate instruction

Why it’s important: There are four areas of differentiation: content, instructional delivery method, assessments, and learning environment. By tailoring your instruction to your individual students’ needs, you can make learning more effective.

The brain processes information through multiple senses—incorporating visual, auditory, and kinesthetic elements into lessons can improve comprehension and retention.

How to apply it in the classroom: No two students are the same, so your methods of differentiation will depend on the needs of your classroom.

• Scaffold content with graphic organizers.
• Provide alternative assessments.
• Use a variety of grouping methods (i.e. whole group, small group, partners, etc.).
• Incorporate assistive or educational technology into your lessons.

5. Provide authentic activities with real-world application

Why it’s important: Making learning relevant to students’ lives and interests can increase motivation and engagement. Connecting new information to existing knowledge and experiences can help the brain make meaningful connections and improve retention.

How to apply it in the classroom: Our goal as teachers is to equip our students for the world beyond the classroom. We can accomplish this by providing them with opportunities to apply their learning to real-world situations and demonstrating the interrelatedness of content areas. Some examples of activities include:

• Write a letter to an author.
• Create a blog or vlog.
• Use “K-W-I” to address a real-world problem: What do your students know? What do they want to know? What ideas do they have to solve the problem?

6. Incorporate experiential learning into your lessons

Why it’s important: The brain is more likely to retain information when it is engaged and actively involved in the learning process. Strategies that promote active participation, such as hands-on activities, discussions, and real-world applications, can enhance learning outcomes.

How to apply it in the classroom: Experiential learning looks different depending on the grade level, but all students benefit from hands-on experiences. Some ideas of how this may be done in the classroom include:

• Incorporate hands-on science experiments.
• Follow a recipe using measurements.
• Use a sports game to learn about probability.
• Grow a classroom garden.
• Act out or create a script for a play.

By understanding and implementing the key principles and strategies of brain-based learning, educators can create engaging and effective learning environments that cater to the diverse needs of their students.

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