Supplemental Materials:
Stop “fixing” your brain by believing in learning styles
Using a growth mindset intervention to challenge ideas about learning
Materials Provided Courtesy of Lisa Duffin
PDF Supplements
…as referenced in the Psychology Today post linked above. For video content, please see below.
Additional questions may be directed to Lisa Duffin, [email protected].
Sample Myth Paper
Includes directions for students and grading rubric
Article
“Neuromythologies in Education,” by John Geake.
Videos 1 & 2
Content Assessment Questions (Videos 1 & 2):
- What is neuroplasticity?
- If you wanted to learn how to do something new, what could you do to “rewire” your brain?
Summary of the video (Videos 1 & 2):
“The study of neuroplasticity tells us that through challenging experiences, we can biologically change our brain. When we think about what this means for learning and our current learning habits, if you only have experience using certain strategies for learning (e.g. note-copying, highlighting, flashcards), then your brain’s neural pathway is stronger for those strategies. However, neuroplasticity suggests that with practice, you can develop other strategies that would help you learn in any environment.”
Video 3
Content Assessment Questions (Video 3):
- According to the video, do learning styles actually exist?
- Yes
- No
- If learning styles don’t exist, in which three areas are people different according to the video
_____________, _______________, _______________
- According to the video, what would happen if a person continued to use what they believed was their strongest learning style even though research says that learning styles don’t exist?
Summary of the Video:
“Learning styles claim that one will learn more effectively when using or learning in their preferred way. However, research indicates just the opposite — using what you believe is your strongest learning style will actually harm you! Because you have used certain strategies (e.g. listening to a recording) so much, your brain has created strong neural pathways for using that strategy. When the environment does not allow you to be successful in using your favorite strategy, you may believe it is because you have a learning style. Research indicates you just need more strategies!”
Video 4
Summary of the Video:
Use “ANSWER” to remember some effective learning strategies:
Ask, explain, and connect – elaboration
No cramming – spaced practice
Switch – interleaving material
Words and visuals – dual coding
Examples – concrete examples
Recall what you know – retrieval practice”
To learn more about the ANSWER learning strategies, please visit our friends, The Learning Scientists, at their website: https://www.learningscientists.org/downloadable-materials