The Human Brain

1. Every time that you learn a new skill, you change your brain.

2. Studies have shown that all of our behaviors change our brain. Those changes are not limited by age, but in fact, they take place all the time.

3. Brain reorganization helps to support recovery after our brain has been damaged.

4. Our brain can change in 3 different ways to support learning.

4.1. 1. Chemical: the brain functions by transferring chemical signals between brain cells (neurons) and this trigger a series of actions and reactions.

4.2. 2. By altering its structure: during learning, the brain can change the connections between neurons. The physical structure of the brain is actually changing. This is related to long-term memory.

4.3. 3. By altering its function: as you use a brain region, it becomes more and more excitable and easy to use again. As your brain has these areas that increases their excitability, the brain shifts how and when they are activated. With learning, we see the whole networks of brain activity are shifted and changing.

5. Neuroplasticity is supported by chemical, structural, and functional changes.

6. The best driver of neuroplastic change in our brain, is our behavior.

7. At helping you learn, nothing is more effective than practice.

7.1. Increased difficulty, increased struggle if you will during practice, leads to both more learning and greater structural change in the brain.

8. Your brain can be shaped structurally and functionally by everything you do, but also, by everything you don't do.

9. The uniqueness of your brain will affect you, both as a learner, and as a teacher.

10. Study how and what you learn best. Repeat those behaviors that are healthy for your brain. Practice

10.1. Learning is about doing the work that your brain requires.

10.2. The best strategies are going to vary between and within individuals.

11. Everything we do, encounter, and experience will change our brain. It. can be for better, but it can also be for worse