A session was conducted by Rtn. Dr Dinesh Nehete for the teachers of Dr. Shamarao Kalmadi high school in Brain based learning. The session started off with an introduction to the structure of the physical organ and how it processes information. Dr. Nehete showed the teachers the evolution of the reptilian brain to the current human brain and the development of the pre-frontal cortex and its role in higher order thinking skills. He connected the content of his talk with relevant examples for the teaching learning process in classes.
Some of the interesting takeaways were:
- The connection of the flight-fight-freeze response and how students can demonstrate it in their behavior.
- The response of the teacher should change from an identity-questioning threat-based reaction to a more rational response that does not take the wayward behavior of a student personally.
- The need for a teacher to bring multiple layers of engagement by engaging the multiple senses of the students.
- The stress on a growth mindset (as propounded by Dr. Carol S. Dweck) rather than fixed mindset, that helps students focus on learning life-long.
- The brain and its capacity to learn is not fixed. Neuroplasticity and the ability to make neural connections ensure that a person can always rewire his/her brain to make new connections and learn new topics.
The talk was very well received and the teachers came away with a lot of food for thought, as well as actionable points for the classroom.
