Learning Circle 1: Neuro Science of Learning

Learning Circle 1: Neuro Science of Learning

LEARNING CIRCLES ABOUT LEARNING

Checking-In! Are you fully here? If there is anything on your mind, please write it down and park it .

1. BRAIN ANATOMY Let’s start with the

basics…

“ OUR BRAIN IS RESPONSIBLE FOR OUR LEARNING PROCESSES, AS SUCH LEARNING ABOUT HOW THE BRAIN WORKS WILL BE BENEFICIAL TO BECOME BETTER L&D PROFESSIONALS

A NEURON

A neuron is a nerve cell involved in the transmission of messages.

A brain has around 100 billion neurons

1 Neuron can be connected to 1000 others

They can exhibit or inhibit other neurons

NEUROLOGICAL ACTIVITY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR:

HOW ARE

• • • •

ATTENTION

NEURONS IMPORTANT FOR LEARNING?

MEMORY SENSING

EMOTIONS

ALL OF THE ABOVE ARE PROCESSES INVOLVED IN LEARNING.

ALTHOUGH THERE ARE SPECIALISED AREAS OF THE BRAIN FOR CERTAIN FUNCTIONS, LEARNING IS MORE AN ASSOCIATED FUNCTION.

ATTENTION

ATTENTION At a neurological level, attention has not been fully defined scientifically yet. However, there is evidence about two types of processing in attention:

FOCUSED ATTENTION

DIFFUSED ATTENTION

FOCUSED ATTENTION

Can you think of examples in which you have worked on something for a while and suddenly become “stuck” in a brain-freeze?

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FOCUSED ATTENTION

THE PRE-FRONTAL CORTEX

DR. BARBARA OAKLEY – FOCUSED VS DIFFUSED MODE MODEL

ATTENTION

Let’s use an allegory from Dr. Barbara Oakley to explain Focused Vs Diffused Attention.

Reinforced thoughts are solid patterns. New thoughts are new weak patterns

Diffused mode allows for wider range of patterns to be formed.

FOCUSED ATTENTION

When people learn, they should constantly switch between the focused mode and diffused mode to reinforce both neurological pathways

FOCUSED ATTENTION

How can we use this knowledge in the design and facilitation of learning?

FOCUSED ATTENTION

TIPS!!!

Apply the Learning is Cumulative and Learning through Exploration principles.

Apply the10 minute rule = 10 mins theory then an activity to practice

Lots of activities that facilitates and reinforces the conceptual information

Games are great ways to enhance diffused attention

Allow your learners to drive the conversations – rather than just listening! 👦

MEMORY, SENSATIONS AND EMOTIONS

INTRODUCTION

How come we sort of automatically learn the new lyrics without much focused attention and still when studying hard for an exam you get “stuck”!?

TIME TO MEET… THE LYMBIC SYSTEM!

❤

THE LYMBIC SYSTEM AND SENSATIONS

What colours did you see?

How can you use this information as an L&D professional?

Stimulating the senses

Creating

MEMORIES

How can you use this information as an L&D professional?

TIPS!!!

Master “Slides” design with visual enhancement. Avoid lots of words! Use videos.

Move away from traditional classroom settings, stimulate people’s senses with a non-traditional learning setting.

Use people’s senses in classroom activities. For example, use scent, taste and even autory stimuli to present concepts (E.g: Sound-bites).

NEUROPLASTICITY

NEUROPLASTICITY

The brain's ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life.

Neuroplasticity allows the neurons (nerve cells) in the brain to compensate for injury and disease and to adjust their activities in response to new situations or to changes in their environment.

NEUROPLASTICITY

I’m bad at studying! I train my brain I become good at studying!

Neuronal connections

Re-wiring of neurons

New neuronal connections

NEUROPLASTICITY

As a L&D professional, you are literally changing the physical structure of the learners’ brains if you facilitate strong learning experiences

TIPS!!!

Apply the learning principle: Memory needs meaning to maximise new neuron connections.

Apply the learning principle: Memory needs repetition if you want to build new strong neuron connections.

PRE-WORK 1

What myths of learning have been produced in the past?

PRE-WORK 1

What are the right elements to consider for effective learning?

Exercise boosts brain power

Pre-Work 2

The human brain has evolved too

Every brain is wired differently

We don’t pay attention to

boring things

Pre-Work 2

There is no such a thing as multi- tasking

Repeat to remember

Sleep well, think well

Pre-Work 2

Stressed brains don’t

learn the same way

Simulate more the senses

Vision trumps all other senses

Pre-Work 2

Males and females brains are different

We are powerful and natural explorers

Using the learning content from today, please apply these learning to your Programs Teams from the Strategic Planning Exercise.

POST WORK

By Nov. 15 th , your team is required to present the first draft of the program that you are working on!

Organise:

1.

Slides

2. A 10 minute Webinar explaining your approach 3. Create a way to look for feedback

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Thanks! Any questions? Put it in the Digital Board! I will be uploading these materials there too!