"If you look at the anatomy, the structure, the function, there’s nothing in the universe that’s more beautiful, that’s more complex, than the human brain."

                           ~ Keith Black

Until surgeons figure out how to fuse the human brain with a high-capacity flash drive, mankind will continue to count on teachers! Teachers are privy to more and more brain research that can be applied in classrooms such as:

• Intelligence is not set in stone. Neurons allow for limitless connections. Some children come to school with many essential connections already in place. Others need our help to create them. Effective teachers teach concepts rather than disconnected facts, and they make learning meaningful by connecting it to their students’ lives. The brain is always searching for patterns. Effective teachers show students how what they are learning fits in with what they already know.

• Brain research suggests that content should be R.E.A.L.: 1) Relevant to the learners; 2) Engaging students in active learning; 3) Associated with prior knowledge; with 4) Learning styles of students considered.

• Metacognition is key. Teach students thinking skills so they can assess a situation, choose the right cognitive strategy, and execute the strategy well.

• Retention is greatly increased when students are actively involved. Most students will retain only about 5% of what they hear.

• Skin sends as much as 10 million bits of tactile information per second to the brain. Eyes send 100 million bits per second, and ears send 30 thousand bits per second. The more senses used, the more information goes to the brain to aid in the learning process.

• Helping students establish a positive, optimistic mental state (“I can and will learn!”) is crucial for effective learning. Research showed that when a pessimistic 4th grader is presented with a difficult task, his or her thinking level reverts to that of a 1st grader.

• Respectful relationships in a safe, low stress environment promote positive, productive states of mind and more on-task behavior.

• Good nutrition and regular exercise are critical in improving student achievement and reducing stress and discipline challenges. Effective teachers plan for “brain breaks”, healthy snacks, and body movement.

And there is much more and the research continues. Effective teachers stay abreast of the latest findings. Thanks to great teachers no surgical implant of flash drives are needed!