While recognizing the value of "vision," it could be argued that vision alone--at least in schools--is not enough to rally the financial and emotional support required to translate an idea into reality. A compelling vision needs to reflect substantive, research-based knowledge if it is to spark the kind of strategic thinking and insight…

Brain science already has much to contribute to education and will become even more important in the future. Brain research is not going away; it is increasing and will continue to do so. As such, educators need better tools to deal with it. In this article, the author argues that educators desperately need new understandings, new ways to think…

In this reply, the author agrees with Eric Jensen on several important points, among them: that neuroscientific data are relevant to educational research, that these data have already proved useful, and that neuroscience alone should not be expected to generate classroom-ready prescriptions. He sharply disagrees with him, however, on the prospects…

This paper describes three models of brain function, each of which contributes to an integrated understanding of human learning. The first model, the up-and-down model, emphasizes the interconnection between brain structures and functions, and argues that since physiological, emotional, and cognitive responses are inseparable, the learning context…

Uses an analogy based on the neural networks of the mind to describe organizational communications channels and considers how the various structures within organizations can affect the learning process. The impact of neural organizations on the delivery of education and training is discussed, and examples from the Open University are given. (two…

The usefulness of"memory" is being questioned as a concept for explaining the facts of remembering. The brain is an extensive and elaborate switching system for organizing sensory inputs from environmental situations and for generating appropriate and properly timed responses to them. The learning of knowledge consists of learning a…

Suggesting that neuroscience and the actualities of brain circuitry can provide guidance for what is misunderstood in writing education, namely, the role of subjectivity and values in the composing process, this paper argues that neuroscience provides corporeal evidence for the salience of particular brain structures and processes responsible for…

Ned Herrmann is interviewed regarding his latest theories on "applied creativity" and the design and delivery of "whole brain learning." He discusses the roles of the brain's two hemispheres, the Herrmann Brain Dominance Instrument, the importance of brain dominance to trainers, and the link between creativity and productivity.…

Medical research during the last 20 years, especially that attempting to help patients with diseased or damaged brains, has produced new findings on hemispheric differences, memory, and language production. Four authorities comment briefly on the implications of this research for education. (Author/MLF)

The pedagogical power of narrative has been much underestimated. Master cases using narrative or electronic narrative significantly enhance learning. The modern "bite"-oriented casebook does not make effective use of narrative materials or meet neurological needs. A useful approach might combine master cases, electronic narrative, high-quality…

Through the years teachers have developed a systematic approach to teaching logic, order, and structure. This approach has put to use the capabilities of only the left side of the brain, neglecting the right-brain activities of visual literacy and visual clustering. To help students organize information efficiently, teachers should provide…

Brain research has illuminated several areas of the learning process: (1) learning as association; (2) learning as reinforcement; (3) learning as perception; (4) learning as imitation; (5) learning as organization; (6) learning as individual style; and (7) learning as brain activity. The classic conditioning model developed by Pavlov advanced…

Researchers in medicine, education, and related fields continue to make new discoveries about how the brain functions or malfunctions. The implications of studies of how young children learn compare favorably with those of educators such as Maria Montessori, Jerome Bruner, and Jean Piaget. These researchers saw growth and development as a series…

This document, which is designed for adult literacy practitioners, differentiates between the different types of literacy, explains the principles of neurobiological learning and their relationship to the development of literacy and numeracy skills, and presents a neurobiology-based technique of literacy instruction. The differences between…

The popular view that children have an advantage in learning a second language has considerable support in research, although it is not uncontested. One approach proposes that the child possesses a unique capacity for language that the adult no longer has. Another view argues that the child's brain is more flexible. A third approach assumes that…