WGU D664 Learners and Learning Science NEW STUDY GUIDE NOTES 2025
Western Governors University
Brainstem
before we are born
controls basic functions (breathing and heart rate)
Limbic System
Shortly after birth, continues to develop through adolescence
controls emotions and memory, helps us navigate social situations, regulate emotions
and remember things.
Cerebellum
begins to develop early in life
controls balance and coordination
helps us performs tasks like typing, writing, and sports
Cerebrum
Extensive growth in childhood and adolescence
the largest part of brain
controls higher cognitive function like thinking reasoning and problem solving.
,Prefrontal cortex (frontal lobe)
begins to progress through grade school
controls impulse control, decision making, and emotion regulation
allows us to plan, organize, and prioritize
Neuroscience
Study of the nervous system and brain
Curiosity
examine new information and resources on developmental topics.
Evidence-Based Practice (EBP)
analyze evidence based research and data for guidance in selection of practices and
interventions.
Cognition
Mental processes involved in aquiring, processing, storing, and using info.
Neurodevelopment
How the brain grows and changes
Mylenation
Makes brain pathways stronger
Pruning
Gets rid of brain pathways
, Brain Development Timeline
prenatal (in womb)
birth
newborn (rapid growth)
early childhood (pruning begins, mylenation continues)
adolescence (development continues especially in frontal lobe)
adulthood (development begins to slow)
True or False
Cognition encompasses processes such as memory, perception, reasoning, problem-
solving, and decision-making.
True
True or False
The prefrontal cortex is responsible for balance, coordination, and motor control.
False
It's primarily involved in higher cognitive functions such as decision-making, impulse
control, and emotional regulation
What is functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) primarily used for?
Mapping brain activity
Encoding
refers to the initial processing of information, where sensory input is transformed into a
form that the brain can store and use
Storage
involves retaining this encoded information over time
Retrieval
is the process of getting stored information when needed.
Feedback
plays a vital role in refining our learning strategies by providing information about our
performance, guiding future actions.
Metacognition
Western Governors University
Brainstem
before we are born
controls basic functions (breathing and heart rate)
Limbic System
Shortly after birth, continues to develop through adolescence
controls emotions and memory, helps us navigate social situations, regulate emotions
and remember things.
Cerebellum
begins to develop early in life
controls balance and coordination
helps us performs tasks like typing, writing, and sports
Cerebrum
Extensive growth in childhood and adolescence
the largest part of brain
controls higher cognitive function like thinking reasoning and problem solving.
,Prefrontal cortex (frontal lobe)
begins to progress through grade school
controls impulse control, decision making, and emotion regulation
allows us to plan, organize, and prioritize
Neuroscience
Study of the nervous system and brain
Curiosity
examine new information and resources on developmental topics.
Evidence-Based Practice (EBP)
analyze evidence based research and data for guidance in selection of practices and
interventions.
Cognition
Mental processes involved in aquiring, processing, storing, and using info.
Neurodevelopment
How the brain grows and changes
Mylenation
Makes brain pathways stronger
Pruning
Gets rid of brain pathways
, Brain Development Timeline
prenatal (in womb)
birth
newborn (rapid growth)
early childhood (pruning begins, mylenation continues)
adolescence (development continues especially in frontal lobe)
adulthood (development begins to slow)
True or False
Cognition encompasses processes such as memory, perception, reasoning, problem-
solving, and decision-making.
True
True or False
The prefrontal cortex is responsible for balance, coordination, and motor control.
False
It's primarily involved in higher cognitive functions such as decision-making, impulse
control, and emotional regulation
What is functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) primarily used for?
Mapping brain activity
Encoding
refers to the initial processing of information, where sensory input is transformed into a
form that the brain can store and use
Storage
involves retaining this encoded information over time
Retrieval
is the process of getting stored information when needed.
Feedback
plays a vital role in refining our learning strategies by providing information about our
performance, guiding future actions.
Metacognition
