Learning Theories Week 5 T2P

          Physiological development of the brain is an important factor to consider when thinking about learning theories.  It takes years for the brain to fully develop and it is best for that development to be unimpeded along the way to full maturity.  Especially in a world so rich with danger, it is possible for students to introduce chemicals into their bodies that can cause severe damage to the brain, limiting its full development.  If an educator is going to be the best instructor they can, they must be able to understand not only the psychological development of their students but also the physiological growth of actual brain matter.  If students are going to be successful educators it is essential that they know the dangers inherent in using drugs and alcohol.  I can remember being told that these activities can kill brain cells while I was in High School but never in any kind of scientific way.  I was more likely to get an answer like “it’s not called dope for nothing.”

            This kind of irresponsible instruction devoid of clear scientific reasoning does an unacceptable job of encouraging abstinence.  Coupled with a teenagers naturally accepted behavior of challenging the things they have spent the last decade learning, there are bound to be students in high school acting on these extremely dangerous risks.  By asserting in scientific language, with evidence to back it up, it becomes possible to show students the heavy risks that they are taking.

            Brain development is also important for keeping students well rounded.  If as educators we want our students to have a well rounded education it is important that we keep their synapses firing all over their brains.  This means letting them solve problems on their own.  It means incorporating music, art, and physical activity into our curriculum.  This blends well with the theory of multiple intelligences, which says that we need to use many different types of learning in order to learn a subject best.  As a persons brain “prunes” itself, unused synapses are eliminated.  This means that if a teacher is not offering opportunities for their students to exercise their multiple intelligences then some of them will disappear, possibly forever.