Monday, April 13, 2015
Learning about how neuronal networks
Throughout this course we have been learning a lot about the structure of the brain. It hasn't been the major focus of the class- to learn the anatomy of the brain. However, I suspect that you have learned, or recalled many of the major structures from your anatomy classes. In Chapter 7 I was particularly impressed by a couple of things. First, the discussion about the physical structure of the neuronal network (actually from Chapter 6, p. 95) and second, the picture of the development of synapses (p. 116). What have you learned this semester about the brain that has surprised you?
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ReplyDeleteSomething that I found interesting this semester was the information about plasticity. I know that Zadina discussed this early on. It was also brought up in chapter six of Zull’s book. I find it very interesting that the wiring of the brain can be changed and synapses can be strengthened when fired consistently. I have always been told when people reach a certain age, their brains are fully developed. I thought that meant the brain was done growing or changing forever, unless of some type of trauma or medication. It is nice to know that plasticity is a real aspect. It allows me to think that no matter how old we are, we can always nurture and stimulate our brains. We can make those weak or silent synapses strong, we just have to continue to fire it until we wire it!
ReplyDeleteI agree Ashley! In fact, as I have been learning from Zadina (following her posts on Facebook)- we actually can do a lot in adulthood for our brains. It is really important to get exercise (oxygen to the brain), good nutrition and regular stimulation. Research is showing us now that the brain can continue to adapt, connections strengthened. Pretty amazing.
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ReplyDeleteAstonishing information about the brain:
ReplyDelete-Mental fatigue from multitasking. The story of my life! When I think about my afternoon/evening routine, I am constantly multitasking (or at least trying to). Six windows open on my laptop, switching between reading articles, writing papers, writing IEP's, lesson planning, all while my boyfriend is watching Golf Channel and the dog is sitting in my lap, hoping to be petted! Since reading about the Attention Pathway, I have tried to limit my cognitive load, and find myself to be increasingly productive :)
-Our brain can understand language differences in the womb! I have been insisting that my pregnant friends listen to Youtube videos of people speaking several languages, so the preference for multiple languages exists in their newborns.
-We have the propensity for SO MANY THINGS! When I first looked at Zull's graph of synapses over time, I was extremely sad. It was definitely a "Glass is half empty" moment. I wanted the synapses of a newborn! At the same time, I see the potential of all early learners and hope that, within my lifetime, all newborns are interacted with, read to, spoken to, and exposed to a variety of things, before synapses begin pruning themselves.
-Jamie Hipp
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ReplyDeleteI think what surprised me the most about the brain throughout the semester was earlier in the semester when we learned about the role anxiety and emotions play in the brain. I did not realize the amount of anxiety students get from math and how this anxiety and anticipation effects the brain. The anxiety can disable their working memory, their attention, and their frontal lobe functions (Chapter 3 in Zadina). I always knew most people hated math or felt that they are not good at it. However, I did not realize that anxiety played such a big role in how students respond to math. I also did not realize it effected the brain so much and caused certain areas of the brain to not function as well. Also, I did already know how our brains and bodies have 3 responses to anxiety and stress: freeze, flight, or fight. However, I never associated this with learning (i.e. learning math)! I always associated this with physical stress (i.e. seeing a bear or a car on fire).
ReplyDeleteI find myself somewhat in awe of the simple connection between physical structures in the brain and our behavior. Period. I am blown away that our experiences, the things we learn, and the choices we make impact and are impacted by something that you can (kind of) hold in your hand. I have been delighted by the fact that much of what education has been prompting (for example: physical movement in class, social interaction, teaching students about plasticity) are all supported by hard, physical evidence in our brains! I struggle with a little OCD, particularly wanting to recheck the stove and lock on my door when I leave. I have found great comfort in telling myself that when I force myself not to check I am literally creating new pathways in my brain, and thats hard. It's supposed to feel uncomfortable, I've built some pretty deep pathways in my brain. But the more I fire the right pathways (you only need to check once) the more wired it will become, and it does get easier. : )
ReplyDeleteI was surprised to learn that each part of the human brain is important in some way for some function of the body or of cognition. I have never studied the anatomy of the brain in any detail and had always been under the assumption that portions of gray matter were somewhat irrelevant or that underused portions could be excised without problem. And perhaps, to some extent this is true. But according to our readings this semester, the brain is an intricate system, a neuronal network through which information is “fired and wired.” When the semester started I didn’t expect to learn much about the physicality of the brain itself but rather its function only.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing what you found interesting! I have learned a lot this semester too!
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