Neuroeducation In The Classroom
We have kept the same educational system and methods clearly obsolete for decades. The need for a change in approach to ways of teaching and imparting knowledge is becoming increasingly evident. Therefore, today we are going to talk about neuroeducation in the classroom, this renewal that can revolutionize teaching.
What is neuroeducation?
Neuroeducation is the union of neurosciences and pedagogy, with the aim of optimizing the learning experience. This discipline seeks to understand how the brain works (how it reads, encodes or stores information in our brain) in order to apply it to teaching. In this way, there would be improvements in educational methods.
Therefore, the idea is to understand that human beings perform an integral processing in which thought, feeling and action are an indivisible whole that gives meaning to the learning experience. And with that in mind, the idea is to adapt the work in the classroom.
Basic concepts of neuroeducation in the classroom
- Brain plasticity. Knowledge is not static. Our brains have a plasticity that allows us to shape and modify neuronal connections through continuous learning.
- Mirror neurons. This set of brain cells allows us to learn not only through our own experiences, but also through observation of others. Thanks to them, we develop empathy and language acquisition.
- Interaction between genetics and experience. The reality of our abilities and capabilities is determined by epigenetics. This is the conjunction of our genetics, which lays the foundations for what attracts us the most or what we do best, and the experience that shapes and modifies those foundations.
- Emotional Learning. For a good internalization of information, it is not enough to receive it at the theoretical level. Any content that evokes emotions in the person will be learned more easily and more permanently.
- Meaningful learning. To really understand a subject, we need to take it into the “real world” and experience it in it. We need to find out what is really useful and what is being learned on a practical level.
How is neuroeducation applied in the classroom?
It is certainly of great importance that educators know the functioning of the brain so that they can optimize their students’ academic performance. The main implications of implementing neuroeducation in the classroom are as follows:
How should learning be?
- Curiosity is essential for learning. Thus, it is necessary to encourage students’ enthusiasm and innate desire to learn, proposing challenges and adventures in the teaching of contents.
- Learning must be active. In other words, it is not enough for students to passively receive information, they must manipulate it and also actively participate in its preparation.
- It is very important that there is emotional and meaningful learning.
- It is especially important to promote teaching through different channels, so that there are both novelties (in communication channels) and repetition of content. In fact, this will greatly facilitate the student’s ability to integrate knowledge.
What should the environment be like?
- The physical environment of the classroom must be adequate. It must be beautiful, organized and varied, mainly because in this way we respond better to changing stimuli.
- There must also be a decoration integrated with the teaching unit of the moment, as well as lighting that is as natural as possible.
- Soft background music is also suitable.
How should educators act?
- Teachers should strive to promote a positive classroom climate. Furthermore, they must be close and empathetic.
- It is very important to help students identify their emotions and manage them. That is, that they are able not to react impulsively, but to respond in a thoughtful and appropriate way.
- Students should receive helpful and uplifting feedback . This means that it is not enough to give a numerical value to the child’s work, but that it is necessary to give specific guidelines to correct mistakes and, above all, maintain motivation, highlighting the things that were done correctly.
- Help students build healthy self-esteem, feel capable and validated. To do this, comparisons with other students must be avoided at all costs.
