Learning and the Brain
G. Christian Jernstedt
Professor of Psychological and Brain Sciences; Adjunct Professor of Community and Family Medicine; Director, Center for Educational Outcomes, Dartmouth College
One of the themes that emerges from the study of the human brain is the enormous potential that resides within each one of us. We will very briefly reflect on who we are as learners and consider a few implications of this for education. We are thinking and learning beings. What is this process of learning like for human beings? What are the most important characteristics of the process of learning?
Readings
Reading in the science of learning
- How People Learn: Brain, Mind, Experience, and School. John D. Bransford, et al., Editors. Committee on Developments in the Science of Learning and Committee on Learning Research and Educational Practice, Commission on Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education, National Research Council. Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press, 2000. ISBN/ISSN 0309070368 (paperback book), ISBN/ISSN 0585321078 (electronic book). Web ordering: http://www.nap.edu/.
- A reading list in education from the National Academy of Science. http://books.nap.edu/v3/makepage.phtml?val1=subject&val2=ed.
Overviews of research
- Current Directions in Psychological Science. Washington, DC: American Psychological Society. ISSN 0963-7214 (scientific journal).
Overviews of educational issues
- Making the Most of College: Students Speak Their Minds. Richard J. Light. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2001. ISBN/ISSN 0674004787 (paperback book).
- The Chronicle of Higher Education. Lancaster, PA: Editorial Project for Education. ISBN/ISSN 0009-5982 (newspaper).
- Teaching Tips. Wilbert J. McKeachie. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2002. ISBN/ISSN 0-618-11649-4 (paperback book).
Tools and materials for improving teaching and learning
- Center for Cognitive and Educational Neuroscience (available in the future), http://www.dartmouth.edu/~ccen/ (web portal).
- Center for Teaching Excellence - University of Kansas, http://www.ku.edu/~cte/resources/websites/usall.html (web portal).
Browsing for brief descriptions of noteworthy recent discoveries about the brain
- Science Times, The New York Times (newspaper, Tuesday edition).
- Discover (magazine).
About G. Christian Jernstedt
Dr. Jernstedt teaches courses on learning and learning theory, evaluation research and experimental methods, teaching methods, and philosophy of science. He lectures throughout the country on learning and teaching, potentials of the human mind, educational technology, and institutional development. His research, in the area of learning as it occurs both in formal classroom settings and in the natural environment, is directed towards understanding the cognitive, behavioral, and affective precursors, concomitants, and outcomes of learning experiences, including classroom and other intentional learning, the training of physicians, long-term adult behavior change, technologically enhanced learning, and service-learning. The Center for Educational Outcomes, which he directs, has pioneered the effective use of electronically-supported teaching and learning, currently focusing on wireless access to learning activities designed to build competence. The Center develops technological tools for the design, implementation, and evaluation of education, with a goal of providing systems of continuing assessment and quality improvement for educational institutions.