Right Brain Involvement In Accelerated Learning

Hi Folks

I have just finished reading a book by one of my colleagues Karen Jones called Deceptive Encounters which supports the National curriculum for Science at stages 2 and 3. Its a classic example of accelerated learning in action in that it takes the learning content and embeds it in a forensic science story.

A story draws on the imagination which is a right brain activity. When you combine a right brain activity with the information that needs to be learnt which is usually the domain of the left brain, you have a whole brain approach to learning which is why it is called accelerated learning.

It simply makes it easier on the brain when you use your whole brain for learning.

Some of the concepts in the book that get embedded in the story are toxicological analysis, DNA profiling, chromatographic analysis, nuclear and mitochondrial DNA, hair shaft samples, and thumbprint recognition.

This makes learning forensic science much more fun and interesting and therefore easier to learn. For all fans of forensic science the Crime Scene Investigation dramas on TV are a great learning tool as well as they combine facts and embed it in a fictional drama. In the dramas you get what I call running commentary on specific scientific facts whilst working out who the perpetrator is.

Karen's book was fun to read and I wanted to read more. Can you imagine if you could say this of all learning? This would make a great present and makes for entertaining reading. You can get the book at Amazon. Just click on the picture below to take you straight there.

Accelerated Learning is Whole Brain Learning

Hi there

If I had to give another definition of accelerated learning it would be whole brain learning. You see traditional forms of learning have been predominantly based in activities that are very left brain focused.

So when you start to use the right brain whilst it may feel awkward to start with, the brain will start to feel a sense of relief as you align learning with it. Learning will start to feel easy and less of a burden as you use you whole brain and not a part. Accelerated learning corrects the imbalance between left and right brain learning hence why it is called whole brain learning.

Many people tell me it feels strange doing mind maps to start with and they have an anxiety that they will lose information. However with practice you come to realise that a key words and pictures replace a lot of what I call link words and learning becomes easier with practice.

Mind maps mimic the brain cells and the way they communicate. Take a look at this picture of a brain cell.




Wonderful and incredible isn't it. But notice how each cell is connected to others by numerous strands. Neurons are the connecting pathways and you can see the connection of this picture to mind mapping.

This is how cells communciate with each other and when you mind map you are mirroring the way the brain communciates. So these skills are worth their weight in gold. Tomorrow I shall review some right brain learning as applied to forensic science.

To your success

Anita

The Mozart Effect and Accelerated Learning

Hi there

There has been much debate on something called The Mozart Effect which refers to the ability of his Mozart's music to develop brain intelligence particularly with respect to memory and visual-spatial intelligence.

Proponents of this theory include Don Campbell who has written about this. Links have then been made to accelerated learning.

There are also CDs and DVDs out called Baby Mozart which build on this theory and therefore set out on brain stimulation and growth from an early age.

However others are sceptical of its claims and when they have reportedly repeated and measured results of the experiment, at best they saw temporary increase in certain brain functions yet no impact on memory.

Here is a contributor to the debate below. Bottom line is you decide on its benefits. I tend to recommend classical music for relaxation as it can induce alpha waves which is the optimum brain state for learning fast.

For me the Mozart Effect is about relaxation and that is what it does for me. It would certainly be interesting to watch a person's brain waves as they listen to Mozart and other classical music. If alpha waves are induced then its value is beyond debate in accelerated learning

What Has Relaxation Got To Do With Accelerated Learning

Hi there

I have just returned from a few days away on a combat training course with personal development weaved into the mix. The British Combat Association run these courses yearly. I was once again struck by the comment and reminded about how the state of relaxation produces the most powerful moves in combat training and its the same for learning performance.

In fact if you want to know what a relaxed aware state looks like in the brain here is a picture



What you are observing is the alpha wave brain state which is known as the relaxed aware state and the super learning state. This is the state of the brain that is most conducive to allowing information to be absorbed rather than leaked.

Most people miss this out and are losing over 60% of their learning in the process. Accelerated learning can take place when we get into the alpha brain wave state. More about this tomorrow but for now just remember that it is important to approach learning in a relaxed state and there are exercises that can help you enter into that state.

The most obvious one that has no cost attached is breathing technique - the art of slowing your breathing down and taking longer deep breaths. Slowing down and breathing from the diaphragm will have a calming and relaxing impact. Breathing technique is often neglected because we do not breathe consciously.

Practise slowing your breathing down to retrain your muscles and physiology to serve you and not the other way round

To Your Success
Anita

How Does Accelerated Learning Speed Up The Learning Process?

Hi there

The reason why accelerated learning speeds up the learning process is quite simply because it engages the whole brain in learning.

Traditionally learning in the classroom has been very left brain dominant. The left brain is concerned with logical, analytical functions and reasoning. Linguistics and maths draw very much on the left brain. A lot of exams are still very much left brain focussed.

The right brain is concerned with the more creative functions and activities that require role play, drawing, involve music and intuition are common expressions draw on the right brain.

Whole brain learning draws on both sides of the brain as the term suggests and when the whole brain is used learning performance accelerates.

In the UK not more than 12% of schools and organisations incorporate accelerated learning in their training and teaching hence my mission to redesign training content and learning content accordingly.

So on that note think of ways you can use apply whole brain learning for a better and more enjoyable learning experience.

To Your Success

Anita

Accelerated Learning Has Changed This Community

Hi there

I thought I would show you a clip today of how one country has taken accelerated learning to the community and made a difference in the lives of those who could not read or write, both old and young.

By far the most important impact when applying accelerated learning is to watch the impact on self-esteem and confidence because these are the two most reported areas commonly affected when learning feels difficult or inaccessible

It is very uplifting to watch the impact that accelerated learning has on confidence and self-esteem in this community and it should inspire you to know that anyone can learn fast irrespective of their background or status.

The video also really depicts how powerful accelerated learning has become for this community and how it is changing lives, and rebuilding self-esteem and confidence.

The community shown in this video also gives vital clues as to how their teaching is different from traditional teaching. If self-esteem and confidence are issues for you where learning is concerned then this video will show you how accelerated learning can change that.

Enjoy this humbling yet powerful experience!!

Traditional Learning v Accelerated Learning

Hi there

I often go into companies and when reviewing their training content will see traditional forms of presentation. To give you an idea lets have a look at a simple index for a topic on goal setting which might look something like this:-

Goal Setting

1. The Purpose of Goal Setting
- why?
- benefits?

2. The Definition of Goal Setting
- what it is and isn't
- written goals

3. Why Goals Can Fail
- non aligned
- non belief
- lack of system
- conflict in values
- inappropriate timescales

4. The Ingredient of A Powerful Goal
- emotion
- current
- process
- specific

5. How to Achieve Your Goals
- ownership
- belief
- steps
- resources
- help
- system

Now nothing wrong with the above as it gives an overview of what is to come on goal setting. However research has discovered that we only remember 20% of what we read by text alone.

Now compare the above index on goal setting with the mind map below which represents the same thing differently:-



Let me ask you at a glance which one would you rather read. The text version or the mind map version? Which one is more appealing. Not only is the index in the mind map but the presentation format is in there. The research on information being presented in a multisensory way and how it accelerates learning is compelling.

The mind map indicates that the information is presented in podcast and video tutorials with games/quizzes to add the fun element into learning. This mind map is not exhaustive and no doubt could be improved but hopefully it gives you an idea of how training when presented in different formats and with fun games makes learning appealing and fun which in turn can improve learning performance five times over.

You have another example also for the use of a mind map. Technology has now made it possible to learn online. It is called e-learning. What e-learning does is to extend the classroom so that people can learn in the comfort of their homes and in a variety of deifferent formats.

I revised my coaching qualification off 12 mind maps which covered 12 sections. yes accelerated learning can be applied to any subject such as coaching. People are more likely to enjoy learning and perform better when accelerated learning is incorporated.

To Your Success
Anita