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