Brain Lateralization and Teaching Applications

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Brain Lateralization Theory Teaching
Applications
Kayla Rich
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Brain Lateralization Theory

• The lateralization theory developed by
  Nobel-prize-winners Roger Sperry and Robert
  Ornstein helps us to understand our behavior,
  our personality, our creativity, and our ability
  to use the proper mode of thinking when
  performing particular tasks. (1)
• Lateralization is when the functions are specific
  to one hemisphere of the brain.
• The brain is separated into two hemispheres the
  right (creative) brain and the left (logical)
  brain.
• The hemispheres are connected by the corpus
  callosum which allows for sharing of learning and
  memory between the two.
• Each hemisphere of the brain has areas of
  specialization. These areas preform unique
  functions .

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Split-Brain Experiment
Please click URL at bottom to view video

• Nobel prize winner R Sperry's research
  concentrated on what happens when parts of the
  corpus callosum, which connects left and right
  hemisphere, is cut. (5)
• Typical split-brain experiments involve
  presenting the subject with two stimuli
  simultaneously. These stimuli must be presented
  such that one will be processed by the left
  hemisphere and the other by the right. Examples
  of stimuli could be written words presented to
  the visual fields or tactile stimuli on differing
  sides of the body. These studies generally reveal
  disunities either in behavior or in the
  representation of mental constructs. (4)

http//youtube/aCv4K5aStdU
"Everything we have seen indicates that the
surgery has left these people with two separate
minds. That is, two separate spheres of
consciousness" . -Roger Sperry
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The Split Brain Experiment Game

• In this game you perform the classic split brain
  experiment used by Nobel Laureate Roger Sperry
  when he discovered differences between the right
  and left hemispheres of the brain. (3)
• Click here to play the game http//www.nobelprize
  .org/educational/medicine/split-brain/about.html

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Right Brain(Creative)
Hemispheric Specializations The left and right
hemispheres of the brain are specialized and
process information differently. (Sousa)
Left Brain (Logical)

• Holistic
• Patterns
• Spatial
• Context of language
• Positive Emotions
• Recognizes
• Faces
• Places
• Objects

• Analysis
• Sequences
• Time
• Speech
• Negative Emotions
• Recognizes
• Words
• Letters
• Numbers

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Hemispheric Functions

• Left Brain

• Right Brain

C O R P U S C A L L O S U m

• Connects to the right side of the body
• Processes input in a sequential and analytical
  manner
• Time-sensitive
• Generates spoken language
• Does invariable and arithmetic operations
• Specializes in recognizing words and numbers (as
  words)
• Active in constructing false memories
• Seeks explanations for why events occur
• Better at arousing attention to deal with outside
  stimuli

• Connected to the left side of the body
• Processes input more holistically an abstractly
• Space sensitive
• Interprets language through gestures, facial
  movements, emotions, and body language
• Does relational and mathematical operations
• Specializes in recognizing faces, place, objects,
  and music
• More truthful in recall
• Puts events in spatial patterns
• Better at internal processing

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Benefits to Understanding Brain Lateralization

• Teachers understand how the brain works and how
  to teach to the whole brain
• Aid in changing the mold of traditional left
  brain teaching in schools and reach the students
  who are right brain thinkers.
• Enables teachers awareness of their own
  neurological strength and weaknesses so they can
  adjust where needed and implement hemispheric
  unbiased curriculum, instruction, and
  assessments.
• Allows teaches to identify their students
  learning preferences to ensure that all students
  needs are being met through all lessons.
• Everyone involved benefits this understanding
  can benefit anyone and everyone across all grade
  levels and subjects.

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Importance of Self Awareness
Please click URL at bottom to view video
Awareness of their own preferred styles can be a
useful tool for teachers do they tend to work
with a particular style? Could other techniques
be used in their teaching? How much are their own
ideas of education influenced by their preferred
styles? For example when asked the question
"What is wrong with education?" a left brained
thinker would typically reply, "Get back to basis
and discipline - get rid of unnecessary frills
like sport and art". A right-brained thinker
would rather suggest cooperative, hands on
educational activities, including integrating
social and creative activities into the whole of
education. And perhaps more importantly how do
they react to students with a different style? (5)
http//www.youtube.com/watch?vcLOzHTlDdiUfeature
player_detailpage
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Care to find out for yourself?

• Various Links to test your brain dominance
• http//testyourself.psychtests.com/testid/3178
• http//www.wherecreativitygoestoschool.com/vancouv
  er/left_right/rb_test.htm
• http//now.msn.com/right-brain-left-brain-test-see
  -if-you-think-like-a-right-brainer
• http//www.perthnow.com.au/entertainment/competiti
  ons/left-brain-vs-right-brain/story-e6frg46u-11111
  14517613

http//youtu.be/ogOAkAqy-T8
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Teaching Strategies

• Discuss concepts both logically (facts) and
  intuitively (what if?)
• Incorporate individual activities as well as
  small and large groups activities
• Use mixtures of the big picture and the
  details leading up
• Present concepts to appeal to different learning
  styles
• verbal lecture, read, discuss, music (auditory
  learner)
• visual - concept map, charts, visual aids,
  overheard, (visual learner)
• Physical - hands-on, experiments, field trips,
  role-play, simulations, dance, projects
  (kinesthetic learner)
• Provide options in completing assignments and
  assessments
• Design activities and assessments for different
  learning styles
• Activities that engage all the senses
• Authentic assessments observations, research
  paper, speech, PowerPoint, drawing, dance,
  diorama, presentations, poem, role- play, group
  work etc...

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Left Vs. Right Strategies
The Global Thinker A.K.A. The Right-Brainer
The Left Brainer

• write down directions in a visual area, these
  students need sequence
• push students to move on if they dont understand
  a concept, they can get hung up small tasks
• offer information in categories, these brains
  need organization
• relate the little to the big, constantly.  These
  students struggle with seeing the whole picture
  and need constant connection making
• connecting to prior knowledge fills this gray area

• provide outlines  if you will be covering a lot
  of material (lecture style) offer an outline so
  they are able to stick with your sequence
• all ages need boundaries  be explicit when
  providing the beginning and/or ending of an
  activity.  (Provide timelines when possible)
• offer many examples, our brains like to look for
  comparisons
• supply examples of samples of completed work
  (remember they need to see the end in order to
  create a sufficient beginning)
• Use a timer
• provide many opportunities to think outside the
  box

(6)
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References

• http//www.funderstanding.com/brain/right-brain-vs
  -left-brain/
• How The Brain Learns Fourth Edition by David A.
  Sousa
• http//www.nobelprize.org/educational/medicine/spl
  it-brain/about.html
• (1961) Sperry, R.W., Cerebral Organization and
  Behavior. The American Association for the
  Advancement of Science. Science (1961). Vol. 133,
  No. 3466,
• http//singsurf.org/brain/rightbrain.php
• http//functionalteaching.com/global-left-brainers
  -and-sequential-right-brainers/