Brain-Based Education: Critical Thinking And Strategies

On the basis of investigating the campaign of brain-based education in 1990's in America, this dissertation makes research and reflection on the brain science theory in this education paradigm and brain compatible instruction. Several strategies come out in the end in light of the international situation and the research status quo in our country.Brain-based education was developing in 1990's with the flourish of the brain science, updating of the cognitive science, the breakthrough of brain research technology and requirement of educational reform which places the students in the center. There were two campaign of brain-based education, one is the brain and early child education movement, the pomp of which can be see in articles and papers published in professional journals, public media, decision-making tribunes and policies of early child. The white house conference, the issue of News Week which was published over 1 million copies, and program on TV and Radio station make this campaign known to everybody and the world. With the support of the American Educational Research Association (AERA), the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD), National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), the brain based education in schools developed steadily. A lot of books and papers were published in recent years, and they brought the far-reaching influence on the practice.After exploring the dynamic campaign, we find out that 10% brain use statement, left/right brain, the plasticity of the brain, critical period, emotions frequently appear on the media, newspaper and professional journal. The origin 10% brain use statement is not clear, but several public figures such as William James and physicist Albert Einstein, who have made reference to it, make this statement known. This statement caters for the people who long for success and cleverness. Left brain/right brain education simplified a rigorous science research and endue with more meaning. An enormous building was built on this research that could not bear. Plasticity fascinates educators a lot. We now know that learning can change the structure of the brain, but how to design the instruction, how to make instruction environment is still an enigma. There is still a "gap" between the changes of synapse caused by experience and the education in schools. Critical period is not short, strictly limited, neither permanent nor unchangeable. People tend to substitute it with sensitive period. Now it can be proved there is sensitive period in sense system, but if it can be used in acquisition of culturally transmitted knowledge, such as reading, counting, further research is needed. Emotion is very important to the learning of the students, and it is becoming an important research project in the world.Brain-compatible instruction researchers decry "the factory model of education". It advocates teaching to the natural law of the brain, attaching the importance to the meaning creation. Brain-based educators favor a constructivist, active learning model,with the students in the center of instruction. They think the seeking of meaning is innate. They design the instruction according to the natural learning system, creating the learning environment that is enriched, authentic, low-threaten and high-challenged. They emphasize on the biological brain in a cultural classroom in classroom management.Brain based education draws on the researches of the psychology and integrates the various of theory of education paradigms. But when it comes to the brain science, there are three kinds of errors: resource incredulity error, misinterpretation error, unwarranted inferential leaps error. The simplified reporting, the limitation of the methodologies and the subjects are the main causes of these errors.In the 21century, brain and education is the important research project of international organization and the governments of many countries. The project on "learning sciences and brain research" was launched by the Organization For Economic Co-Operation A...