Connecting the regions to Literacy
Essential Questions: How do we learn? Why do people learn differently? How can we learn better?
Visual learning
We receive more information visually than by any other means. The primary visual cortex located in the occipital lobe is responsible for recognizing and processing information from the eyes. Areas of the temporal lobe are responsible for recognizing and making sense of what is seen. The parietal lobe also plays a part in visualization, areas in this lobe process information about moving through the space that is seen. 7
Visual literacy is the ability to interpret, negotiate, and make meaning from information presented in the form of an image. Visual literacy is based on the idea that pictures can be read and that meaning can be communicated through a process of reading. Students become visually literate by the practice of visual encoding (expressing their thoughts and ideas in visual form) and visual decoding (translating and understanding the meaning of visual imagery).
Images are pervasive in today's world. Visual literacy is used when looking at and studying photographs, symbols, graphs, and signs with students. If students can visualize as they read, their level of engagement can be increased. Students who are presented with visual images prior to the beginning of instruction have something concrete to refer to when the lesson starts. Visualization during reading enables students to place themselves in the story, link past experiences to the words and ideas in the text, and strengthens a reader's relationship to the text. 8
Auditory learning
Our sense of hearing starts in the middle ear, where sounds are converted into signals. The signals travel to the brain stem, thalamus, and are sent to the auditory cortex.
Auditory learning is a learning style in which a person develops understanding through listening. They may struggle to comprehend a chapter they've read, but then experience a full understanding as they listen to the class lecture. Auditory learners may benefit by using a speech recognition tool or listening to books on tape. They can follow directions very precisely after hearing them once or twice and sometimes work well with background noise present. Collaborative learning groups suit this type of learner.
Tactile learning
The area of the brain that is responsible for motor functions and sensory functions is located in two strips that wrap across the frontal lobe like headbands. The first strip is the motor strip and controls everything that moves in your body. The second strip is next to the first and is called the somatosensory strip. This strip processes information about what specific parts of the body are feeling or doing. Furthermore, the cerebellum is integral in muscle movement; it constantly receives messages about the body's actions and position and makes adjustments so the cerebellum is critical for balance and coordination. The thalamus is responsible for relaying messages about sensations such as pain, pressure, and temperature. All of these various regions in the brain are involved in tactile learning.
Tactile learning is a teaching and learning style in which learning takes place by the student carrying out a physical activity, rather than listening to a lecture or merely watching a demonstration. Students learn by doing or movement. These students generally have high hand-eye coordination and enjoy being physically active.
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