Learning and Memory : The Brain in Action

Brain research is much in the news, but what is its relevance in the classroom? Are there ways to take what brain researchers are discovering about learning and memory and apply it to the situations that educators face every day? Practicing teacher and author Marilee Sprenger tells how to do just that in this book. Sprenger has spent years studying neurological research and training other educators in brain-compatible teaching methods. This background, combined with her long career as a classroom teacher, has given her priceless knowledge of what works in a multitude of classroom situations. Current brain research is as amazing as it can be confusing. This book discusses in plain terms the structure, function, and development of the human brain. The author describes the five «memory lanes»-semantic, episodic, procedural, automatic, and emotional-and tells how they function in learning and memory. She offers dozens of practical suggestions for teaching and assessing in brain-compatible ways. Bridging the gap between theory and practice, the book offers valid, usable, «What you can do on Monday» ideas to incorporate into the classroom. This is an approach to brain research that educators at all levels can apply in their daily work. Preface and Acknowledgments Losing Your Mind: The Function of Brain Cells Chicken Soup for the Brain: The Effects of Brain Chemicals Pieces and Parts: The Anatomy of the Brain Strolling Down Memory Lanes: Memory and Storage Systems Where Is Wally? Locating Memories in the Brain The Path Most Traveled: Semantic Memory Instructional Strategies The Lanes Less Traveled: Instructional Strategies for Episodic, Procedural, Automatic, and Emotional Memory Producing the Evidence: Assessment That Mirrors Instructional Strategies Frequently Asked Questions Glossary Bibliography Based on the assumption that the more teachers know about brain science, the better prepared they will be to make instructional decisions, this book presents information on current research regarding learning and memory, and applies the research to situations that educators face daily. Chapter 1 examines the structure of the brain and its development, relates Piaget's theory of cognitive development with stages of myelin release and brain growth, and discusses the role of experience in brain growth. Chapter 2 focuses on brain chemicals, providing information about the formation and action of neurotransmitters, types of neurotransmitters, their relation to behavior, and how to develop classroom environments that positively affect brain chemistry. Chapter 3 discusses the anatomy of the brain, including fetal development and the triune brain model, and describes how information is processed by the brain. Chapter 4 examines memory and storage systems, including short-term and working memory, long-term memory, semantic and episodic memory, procedural and automatic memory, and emotional memory. Chapter 5 presents information on memory retrieval, memories failures, and the influence of memory on everyday decisions. Chapter 6 examines how to enhance semantic memory through instructional strategies such as graphic organizers and summarizing. Chapter 7 suggests ways to enhance episodic, procedural, automatic, and emotional memory. Chapter 8 suggests ways to assess student progress that mirror the instructional strategies used. Chapter 9 presents answers to frequently asked questions about brain development and education. The book concludes with a glossary of terms. Contains 64 references. (KB) Brain research is much in the news, but what is its relevance in the classroom? Are there ways to take what brain researchers are discovering about learning and memory and apply it to the situations that educators face every day? Practicing teacher and author Marilee Sprenger tells how to do just that in this book. Sprenger has spent years studying neurological research and training other educators in brain‐compatible teaching methods. This background, combined with her long career as a classroom teacher, has given her priceless knowledge of what works in a multitude of classroom situations.Current brain research is as amazing as it can be confusing. This book discusses in plain terms the structure, function, and development of the human brain. The author describes the five'memory lanes'--semantic, episodic, procedural, automatic, and emotional--and tells how they function in learning and memory. She offers dozens of practical suggestions for teaching and assessing in brain-compatible ways.Bridging the gap between theory and practice, the book offers valid, usable,'What you can do on Monday'ideas to incorporate into the classroom. This is an approach to brain research that educators at all levels can apply in their daily work.Note: This product listing is for the Adobe Acrobat (PDF) version of the book. Losing Your Mind : The Function Of Brain Cells -- Chicken Soup For The Brain : The Effects Of Brain Chemicals -- Pieces And Parts : The Anatomy Of The Brain -- Strolling Down Memory Lanes : Memory And Storage Systems -- Where Is Wally? Locating Memories In The Brain -- The Path Most Traveled : Semantic Memory Instructional Strategies -- The Lanes Less Traveled : Instructional Strategies For Episodic, Procedural, Automatic, And Emotional Memory -- Producing The Evidence : Assessment That Mirrors Instructional Strategies -- Frequently Asked Questions. Marilee Sprenger. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 106-107) And Index. Offers simple strategies to help students improve their memory and make their learning permanent.