lOMoA RcP S D|516 483 32
lOMoA RcP S D|516 483 32
, lOMoA RcP S D|516 483 32
Learners and
Learning Science
Course Introduction
These principles provide evidence-based insights into how people gain and retain
knowledge and are crucial in helping teachers develop more effective teaching
strategies. By knowing how the brain works during learning, teachers can help students
stay interested and understand the material better, leading to better results in school. It
also helps tailor teaching to fit the different ways that students learn best. The science of
learning helps teachers evaluate student work and diagnose and prescribe activities for
enhanced achievement.
Section 1: The Neuroscience of Learning
Section 1: Introduction
This section, The Neuroscience of Learning, reveals the study of neuroscience and its
implications for learning. Neuroscience—the study of the brain and nervous system—is
key to unlocking the mysteries of how we acquire knowledge, form memories, and
develop skills. By understanding the brain's inner workings, you will gain a deeper
understanding of the biological processes underlying learning and cognition. You will
explore common neuromyths and recent science that offers more effective approaches.
As you discover the inner workings of the brain, you will enhance your appreciation for
the complexity of human cognition and gain valuable insights that can inform your
approach to teaching and learning strategies.
Build Employability Skills and Competence
Curiosity drives educators to explore and incorporate new information and resources
related to developmental topics, enhancing their understanding of student needs.
Evidence-based practice enables educators to analyze research and data, guiding them
in selecting the most effective teaching strategies and interventions. By combining
curiosity with evidence-based practice, educators can continually improve their methods
and provide more effective, tailored support to their students.
The skills in this section are:
, lOMoA RcP S D|516 483 32
● Curiosity: Examine new information and resources on developmental topics.
● Evidence-Based Practice: Analyze evidence-based research and data to guide
practices and interventions.
Lesson 1: 1 Welcome to your brain
Prereflection Questions
What strategies will you use to create a classroom that supports the different ways
students think and understand at different ages?
Explanation
I can use various teaching methods and materials to create a classroom that supports
the different ways students think and understand at multiple ages. By offering choices in
how students learn and express themselves - like through discussions, projects, and
hands-on activities - I can help every student feel included and succeed.
The Human Brain
As a teacher, it is crucial to understand how the brain works because it helps us know
how students learn, remember things, and solve problems. The brain controls many
activities (like thinking and feeling) and senses (like touch and sight). Cognition is how
we take in, process, remember, and use information—like learning, thinking, or solving
problems.
Even though the brain is small, it is complex. Many tiny cells called neurons work
together like a complex communication network. Our brains keep growing until we are
about 25, so we can keep learning new things as we age.
Innovative technology—like functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)— has
significantly advanced medical research by allowing scientists to observe brain activity.
This technology has also been applied to studying learning, enabling researchers to
identify which parts of the brain are active during various learning processes. This
information helps educators understand how learning happens in the brain so that they
can teach better.
, lOMoA RcP S D|516 483 32
Brain Growth and Education
As people grow from babies to adults, their brains change significantly, affecting how
well they can learn in school. Neurodevelopment is how the brain develops and
changes. Neurodevelopment is essential to learning new things, improving thinking, and
handling school challenges.
When babies are tiny, the neurons in their brains start making connections because of
what they experience, like sounds and touches. These connections help set the stage
for learning language, making friends, and understanding the world around them.
Caregivers, like parents, are critical during this time because they create loving
environments that help brains grow well, which is essential for doing well in school later.
When kids become older, their brains go through a process called myelination, which
makes pathways stronger, and one known as pruning, which gets rid of pathways that
are not needed. As an educator, you do not need to memorize the names of these
processes, but you need to be aware that they are occurring. Together, they make kids
better at paying attention, remembering things, and solving problems, which are
essential for doing well in school. Teachers can help by making classrooms fun and
exciting so kids want to learn new things and explore.
Key Terms
● neuroscience: the study of the brain and nervous system
● cognition: thinking activities such as remembering, understanding, problem-solving,
and decision-making, including how people get, use, and store information in their
minds
● neurons: tiny cells in the brain that work together like an extensive
communication network
● neurodevelopment: plays a crucial role in acquiring new knowledge, honing
cognitive skills, and adapting to the challenges of formal education
Lesson 1.2: Brain Development and Learning
Prereflection QUestion
What parts of the human brain do you think are relevant for learning?
lOMoA RcP S D|516 483 32
, lOMoA RcP S D|516 483 32
Learners and
Learning Science
Course Introduction
These principles provide evidence-based insights into how people gain and retain
knowledge and are crucial in helping teachers develop more effective teaching
strategies. By knowing how the brain works during learning, teachers can help students
stay interested and understand the material better, leading to better results in school. It
also helps tailor teaching to fit the different ways that students learn best. The science of
learning helps teachers evaluate student work and diagnose and prescribe activities for
enhanced achievement.
Section 1: The Neuroscience of Learning
Section 1: Introduction
This section, The Neuroscience of Learning, reveals the study of neuroscience and its
implications for learning. Neuroscience—the study of the brain and nervous system—is
key to unlocking the mysteries of how we acquire knowledge, form memories, and
develop skills. By understanding the brain's inner workings, you will gain a deeper
understanding of the biological processes underlying learning and cognition. You will
explore common neuromyths and recent science that offers more effective approaches.
As you discover the inner workings of the brain, you will enhance your appreciation for
the complexity of human cognition and gain valuable insights that can inform your
approach to teaching and learning strategies.
Build Employability Skills and Competence
Curiosity drives educators to explore and incorporate new information and resources
related to developmental topics, enhancing their understanding of student needs.
Evidence-based practice enables educators to analyze research and data, guiding them
in selecting the most effective teaching strategies and interventions. By combining
curiosity with evidence-based practice, educators can continually improve their methods
and provide more effective, tailored support to their students.
The skills in this section are:
, lOMoA RcP S D|516 483 32
● Curiosity: Examine new information and resources on developmental topics.
● Evidence-Based Practice: Analyze evidence-based research and data to guide
practices and interventions.
Lesson 1: 1 Welcome to your brain
Prereflection Questions
What strategies will you use to create a classroom that supports the different ways
students think and understand at different ages?
Explanation
I can use various teaching methods and materials to create a classroom that supports
the different ways students think and understand at multiple ages. By offering choices in
how students learn and express themselves - like through discussions, projects, and
hands-on activities - I can help every student feel included and succeed.
The Human Brain
As a teacher, it is crucial to understand how the brain works because it helps us know
how students learn, remember things, and solve problems. The brain controls many
activities (like thinking and feeling) and senses (like touch and sight). Cognition is how
we take in, process, remember, and use information—like learning, thinking, or solving
problems.
Even though the brain is small, it is complex. Many tiny cells called neurons work
together like a complex communication network. Our brains keep growing until we are
about 25, so we can keep learning new things as we age.
Innovative technology—like functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)— has
significantly advanced medical research by allowing scientists to observe brain activity.
This technology has also been applied to studying learning, enabling researchers to
identify which parts of the brain are active during various learning processes. This
information helps educators understand how learning happens in the brain so that they
can teach better.
, lOMoA RcP S D|516 483 32
Brain Growth and Education
As people grow from babies to adults, their brains change significantly, affecting how
well they can learn in school. Neurodevelopment is how the brain develops and
changes. Neurodevelopment is essential to learning new things, improving thinking, and
handling school challenges.
When babies are tiny, the neurons in their brains start making connections because of
what they experience, like sounds and touches. These connections help set the stage
for learning language, making friends, and understanding the world around them.
Caregivers, like parents, are critical during this time because they create loving
environments that help brains grow well, which is essential for doing well in school later.
When kids become older, their brains go through a process called myelination, which
makes pathways stronger, and one known as pruning, which gets rid of pathways that
are not needed. As an educator, you do not need to memorize the names of these
processes, but you need to be aware that they are occurring. Together, they make kids
better at paying attention, remembering things, and solving problems, which are
essential for doing well in school. Teachers can help by making classrooms fun and
exciting so kids want to learn new things and explore.
Key Terms
● neuroscience: the study of the brain and nervous system
● cognition: thinking activities such as remembering, understanding, problem-solving,
and decision-making, including how people get, use, and store information in their
minds
● neurons: tiny cells in the brain that work together like an extensive
communication network
● neurodevelopment: plays a crucial role in acquiring new knowledge, honing
cognitive skills, and adapting to the challenges of formal education
Lesson 1.2: Brain Development and Learning
Prereflection QUestion
What parts of the human brain do you think are relevant for learning?
