1. BRAIN FUNCTIONS CONCERNING LEARNING
  2. We learn through our senses. Our eyes, ears, nose, mouth, and even our skin picks up information and streams it through electronic impulses to neurons. The neurons then use its axons and dendrites to release neurotransmitters into the synaptic gap. It then carries the information up the nerve tracts of the spinal cord to the brain stem.
  3. This entire process begins with sensory input and ends with us being able to take that sensory experience and turn it into coherent whole. For example when we see fire the brain stems tells us that this is something we have seen before. The visual image of the fire becomes more precise through the electrical nerve impulses that travel to the occipital lobe. Those impulses then travel to other areas such as the frontal, parietal, and temporal lobes to remember other ideas or memories related to fire. That is how we learn and know that fire is hot and to not touch it. This is taking learning from the micro level to macro level and why our senses are so important to our learning.
  4. Conclusion
  5. Brain Stem: Controls nonconcious behavior
    1. Carries information up from the nerve tracts of the spinal cord to the brain stem. It coordinates incoming sensory impulses by relating them to other information in the central nervous system.
  6. Cerebellum: Controls balnace and movement
    1. Considered the most complex, it processes most of our learning. It is known to represent the old statement about mind-body link. It is the link between how we move and think.
  7. Diencephalon: Regulates feelings, emotion, and perception
    1. It contains the thalamus, hypothalamus, pituitary glands, and other smaller structures. Controls our voluntary behavior.
  8. Cerebrum: Uses the four lobes to controls learning by senses
    1. Occupital lobe is responsible for vision
    2. Frontal lobe is responsible for intentional acts such as; judgement, creativity, problem solving, and planning
    3. Parietal lobe is responsible for where higher sensory and language is processed.
    4. Temporal lobe is responsible for hearing memory, meaning, and language.