How the human brain experiences learning - part one

September 2, 11:00 AMWorkplace Training and Development ExaminerLenn Millbower

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The human brain structures that work together to experience learning

This article series describes how the human brain structures work together to experience learning.

A classroom is a multi-sensory experience that engages our entire brain; sometimes in ways we don’t expect and understand. What follows is a very high level overview of our different brain structures and how they work together to create classroom environment our brains’ experience.

Cerebellum – Controlling the automatic motor system functions, it allows you to eat your morning donut, swallowing it so quickly you don’t even realize it is gone until it is too late.

Brain stem – transmitting incoming information from nerve endings to the higher brain functions, it absorbs the comfort level of the chair, the temperature of the room, and the tactical information gleaned from touching learning materials. It also communicates the vibrations you feel when the person behind you kicks the back of your seat.

Reticular formation – Integrating the amount and type of incoming information into general levels of attention, it decides how much attention to pay to the instructor, other students, and the material to be learned. It suggests that the “hot” girl/guy deserves more attention than the instructor, and the seat kicker is a potential threat.

Hypothalamus (Limbic system structure) – Monitoring internal regulatory systems and informing your brain about internal systems status, it reminds you of the restroom visit you need to make.

Thalamus (Limbic system structure) – The relay center for incoming sensory information, informing our brain about what's happening outside our body, it tells you seat is uncomfortable, the donut is gone, and the seat kicking continues.

Amygdala (Limbic system structure) – Processing emotion, filtering, and interpreting incoming sensory information in the context of our survival and emotional needs, it helps initiate what the brain perceives as appropriate responses such as feeling defensive about your perceived lack of knowledge on the subject to be taught, your emotional reaction to the instructor, and the building anger towards the chair kicker.

In the next article, we will conclude our look at how the brain structures work together to experience learning.