What are some basic findings concerning the brain mentioned by Anita?

 

Anita discuses some basic findings concerning to brain functions. The nerve cells can be described as the neurons of the brain. These neurons send out branches to other cells in the brain. Although the neurons never touch, the gaps in between them are known as the synapse. Each person has billions of neurons leading to thousands of synaptic connections. This is how the neurons communicate with one another.

 

What does Anita mean when she says "Use it or Lose it?"

 

Anita discusses the concept “Use it or Lose it” through her basic findings. The concept reveals that children have several synapse connections. When synapse connections are not used, the connection will be lost. Children that continually use their synapse connections, they will be more effective and easier to comprehend. The more a child uses their synapse connections, the easier it gets for that child to remember the material.

 

Why does Anita mention Taxi drivers in the podcast?

 

Anita mentions Taxi drivers in the podcast as a way to describe the process of synapses. In a study, the hippocampus tends to be larger on taxi drivers than those who have never driven a Taxi. The hippocampus is the part of the brain that retains memory. Anita’s podcast reveals that cab drivers use their memory more often leading to a larger hippocampus area. By them constantly using their memory, Taxi drivers have a stronger synapse connection.

 

According to the podcast, why is it important to learn different methods in solving math problems?

 

According to Anita, it is extremely important to learn different methods in solving math problems. She refers to solving math problems as people experiencing traffic jams. Students that are only familiar with one way to solve a problem will eventually run out of ways to travel. The problem solving in the brain stops due to limited pathways for exploration. Anita reveals that when you have several pathways available, you will be able to solve problems faster and more smoothly. When you have more ways to problem solved, you will not be evident of a traffic jam.

 

 

Explain "Bloom's Taxonomy".

 

Bloom's taxonomy was created by Benjamin Bloom in 1956. Blooms Taxonomy divides educational objectives into three specific domains. These include cognitive, affective, and psychomotor functions. Benjamin Bloom’s main goal behind his theory was to provide a higher form of thinking. He wanted individuals to be able to examine information rather than just remember the concept. Bloom believed that once an individual learned a new concept, they should be equipped with new learning abilities and information.

 

Summary

 

This lesson to me was very interesting because it fascinated me about how the brain works and functions. I agree with the findings that Anita mentioned in her podcast. The process “Use it or Lose it” is a very true process in my opinion. I believe if you constantly use and challenge your brain, you will attain that information. For people that do not use the concept regularly, they will eventually lose the material. Overall the material that I learned in this lesson was very interesting and will be very beneficial in the classroom.