Natural Learning Cycle
The following is based on the work of James Zull, in the book The Art of Changing the Brain, 2002
Zull matched his Natural Human Brain Learning Cycle to that of David Kolb Experiential Learning Model. This cycle of learning helps teachers to understand how the brain goes about its learning process and what teaching methods might facilitate that learning process most effectively.
Sensory Cortex
Receives first input from outside world, vision, hearing, touch, smells and taste
David Kolb’s Learning Cycle
Kolb’s Concrete experiences—direct physical information from the world
Ways of Teaching
First hand—field trip, labs or internship
Also
Lecture
Demonstration
Discussion
Back Integrative Cortex
Engaged in memory formation and reassembly of sensory data
Language comprehension
Developing spatial relationship
Identifying objects, faces and motion
Creates images and meaning
Kolb’s Reflective-Observation
Remembering relevant information, daydreaming and free association,
Developing insights and associations,
Mentally rerunning and analyzing experiences
Teaching Activities
Logs, Journals, Summary writing
Frontal Integrative Cortex
Short term memory
Problem Solving
Making Decisions
Assembling plans for action
Assembly of language
Making judgments and evaluations
Directing the action of the rest of the brain
Organizing actions and activities of the body
Kolb’s Abstraction-Conceptualization
Manipulation of images and language to create new mental arrangements
Developing plans for future action
Comparing and choosing options
Making predictions, case studies, problem solving
Directing recall of past experiences
Creating symbolic representations
Replacing and manipulating items held in short term memory
Motor Cortex
Coordinates and triggers all voluntary muscle contractions by the body producing movement
Carries out the ideas and plans originating in the front integrative cortex—including the actual production of language through speech and writing
Kolb’s Active Testing
Conversion of ideas into physical actions or movements of parts of the body
Writing,
Deriving relationships,
Doing experiments,
Talking in debate or conversation
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