INTRODUCTION TO BRAIN BASED LEARNING

 

A COURSE BROUGHT TO YOU BY INTEGRATELEARNING.ORG

Welcome to “Introduction to Brain Based Learning”.  This course has been developed through funding from the U.S. Department of Education Star Schools Program by IntegrateLearning.  IntegrateLearning came into existence as a separate entity under a grant from the Mountain Plains Distance Learning Consortium.  The purpose of IntegrateLearning was to research and develop a program that would and will assist educators develop new skills that best meet the needs of students who have a more integrated learning style.

IntegratedLearning says of the integrated learner:

In describing their difficulty in grasping a new concept or solving a problem, some people claim that they “can’t see the forest for the trees,” or “the trees for the forest”.  Integrated learners, however, exist as part of the forest, and of the trees, and of the world that surrounds the forest. They are not observing the forest or its trees. In educational terminology, they don’t consider themselves separate from a proposed concept or a problem.  They are integrally involved in the concept or problem.

An integrated learner acquires new information by integrating it into something familiar in his/her life. Therefore, the project-based, experiential, or holistic instruction proposed for this site is highly effective with southwestern Native Americans and students from similar integrated cultures.”

Modern technology has made possible the acquisition of new knowledge about how the brain processes information during the learning process.  This new knowledge has led to a new teaching and learning theory that is based on human physiology.  This theory is brain based learning. Brain based learning supports what we have learned about integrated learning and correlates with other learning theories such as constructivism, multiple intelligences and problem based learning. Our knowledge of how the brain learns indicates that many require a more holistic or integrated learning environment.

This course is designed to give you an introduction to what has been learned about the brain and learning and to introduce you to ways to implement structures within your classroom that support brain based learning. 

We hope that this course will add to your “teacher’s toolbox” of skills and that you will find the knowledge beneficial in your quest to provide the best possible learning experience for your students.

For more information about integrated learning or if you would like learn more about brain based learning , please see the website at http://integratelearning.org or feel free to contact a member of the IntegrateLearning.Org staff through the website at http://integratelearning.org/staff.htm

The course is designed for the online environment using andragogically sound principles.  It is based on sharing knowledge and creating meaning of that knowledge through interaction between student and instructor and student and student.  This very important element will not show in this website, however, such interaction will allow the student the opportunity to explore new avenues that can be translated to the classroom.  For purposes of this website, one unit has been opened.  If you wish more information about the other units, please contact Ann Miller, Leecy Wise or Gloria Bobbie through IntegrateLearning.Org.


 Title | Intro | Syllabus | Bibliography | Mind Mapping | Mapping on Web | Web Resources | Papers | Additional Resources | Unit 3 | Unit 3 Resources | Contact Us

 
 
 
 
 
 

© Four Corners Virtual Resource Center, 2000
CDE Adult Education and Family Literacy, Center for At-Risk Education (CARE)
CONTACT US