2. The Learning Brain

The Human Brain:

Interesting fact:

"The adult human brain weighs about 3 pounds (1300-1400 grams). By comparison, a sperm whale brain weighs about 7800 grams, or 17 pounds! A dolphin brain weighs about 4 pounds and a gorilla brain about 1 pound. Your dog's brain weighs about 72 grams, which is only about 6 percent of your own brain's total weight."

This section focuses on the facts involving the human brain. This includes, but is not limited to, size, weight, and appearance. It also talks about which section of the brain is responsible for our various behaviours and actions.


Where does learning begin?

There are two kinds of brain cells: neurons and glia. The majority are glia (90%) while the rest are neurons (10%) which is where the thinking takes place. Humans have about 100 billion neurons (in comparison, a mouse has 5 million). Adults have about "half the number of neurons found in the brain of a 2 year old." Where do all of our brains go?

Every day, we lose brain cells through attrition, decay, and disuse. Opinions vary but it is estimated we lose between "10,000 to 100,000" per day (Howard, 1994). Breathe easy, though, as the author promises that we have more than enough for our lifetime. Even if we lost a half million neurons per day, it would take centuries for us to "lose our minds."

This suggests, and it should be no small surprise, that the younger we are the more open we are to learning. Think about all a child has to do: learn to walk, talk, function on their own, master language, social conventions, and hone motor skills. Given the rate of decay that occurs before we become adults, it is obvious that we need to stimulate and engage our children as early as possible.


How do we learn?

"Learning changes the brain because it can rewire itself with each new stimulation, experience, and behaviour." This is why it is essential for differentiated instruction to be included with our lessons. These kinds of activities could include new experiences, a jigsaw, an oral presentation, creative writing, or an art project. This stimulates the brain to form new pathways and develop.


Discussion Question: Given this new information about brain development, how important a role do you see DI playing in your classroom? What challenges are there as a result?



It is estimated that we use less than 1 percent of 1 percent of our brain's projected processing capacity and theoretically, we could connect with far more than we are. "Could this potential connectivity be responsible for so-called 'genius' behaviour in isolated individuals?" the author asks. It's possible. There are documented cases where subjects have spoken "a dozen or more languages, demonstrated thought transference, performed speed reading, or showcased a super-memory," claims the author.

While largely theoretical, it is something to think about (no pun intended).