Brain Structures and Functions
Brain Structures and Functions
Viviana N. Reyes
ESE370: Learning & the Brain (CXI1409A)
Instructor: Charisse Jones
March 9, 2014
Brain Structures and Functions Many are fascinated by the brain and its functions. Our brain is composed of different units and lobes that work together but each part, of course, has a special function. We all ask ourselves, how is it that we learn? Do our senses have anything to do with getting new information into our brain? Technology now allows us to look into our brains and see how it works (Waytz & Mason, 2013). Brain development and function are a key element to learning. Without good senses and function we would not have good memory and we would struggle with language. By dissecting each of these points we will see how one leads to another.
When we are born we start by using our senses to obtain new information (Jensen, 2008). Our senses help us encounter information that will arouse our minds and therefore gather new data. Our brain processes information, then translates and stores this information for future reference. We learn to recognize smells and remember the last time we smelled such a thing and how it made us feel. Hearing something might trigger a sense of joy or sadness. Seeing something can remind us how to solve a problem. There are experimental tests in which people are blindfolded and they say that there other senses become more intense. So we know that our senses trigger a switch in our brain that stimulates the need to learn.
How does the brain learn new things? We first need to learn some parts of the brain to know how it functions. Our brain is made up of four primary areas: a frontal, a parietal, occipital and temporal lobes (Jensen, 2008). Within these lobes is where we retain information. Each lobe retains different information. For example, the parietal lobe holds information like language functions (Jensen, 2008). The frontal lobe is in charge of
Viviana N. Reyes
ESE370: Learning & the Brain (CXI1409A)
Instructor: Charisse Jones
March 9, 2014
Brain Structures and Functions Many are fascinated by the brain and its functions. Our brain is composed of different units and lobes that work together but each part, of course, has a special function. We all ask ourselves, how is it that we learn? Do our senses have anything to do with getting new information into our brain? Technology now allows us to look into our brains and see how it works (Waytz & Mason, 2013). Brain development and function are a key element to learning. Without good senses and function we would not have good memory and we would struggle with language. By dissecting each of these points we will see how one leads to another.
When we are born we start by using our senses to obtain new information (Jensen, 2008). Our senses help us encounter information that will arouse our minds and therefore gather new data. Our brain processes information, then translates and stores this information for future reference. We learn to recognize smells and remember the last time we smelled such a thing and how it made us feel. Hearing something might trigger a sense of joy or sadness. Seeing something can remind us how to solve a problem. There are experimental tests in which people are blindfolded and they say that there other senses become more intense. So we know that our senses trigger a switch in our brain that stimulates the need to learn.
How does the brain learn new things? We first need to learn some parts of the brain to know how it functions. Our brain is made up of four primary areas: a frontal, a parietal, occipital and temporal lobes (Jensen, 2008). Within these lobes is where we retain information. Each lobe retains different information. For example, the parietal lobe holds information like language functions (Jensen, 2008). The frontal lobe is in charge of
References: Ganesalingam, K., Yeates, K., Taylor, H., Walz, N., Stancin, T., & Wade, S. (2011). Executive functions and social competence in young children 6 months following traumatic brain injury. Neuropsychology, 25(4), 466-476. doi:10.1037/a0022768 Jensen, E. (2008). Brain-based learning: The new paradigm of teaching (2nd Ed). California: Corwin Press. Waytz, A., & Mason, M. (2013). Your Brain at Work. Harvard Business Review, 91(7), 102-111.