Many teachers and parents know neuroscience. This is important for children’s education, where research into how the brain functions and develops.
The development of the brain is Recommended As part of university teacher education. Neuroscience has also been mentioned in Australia.”Early Framework“, guides the programme of childhood.
Previous research has shown that there is misconception about how neuroscience works (or “neuropathy”) in both teachers. Australia and abroad.
Ours New research It shows that there is some broad neurological tidy among early childhood educators.
What is the myth? And what are the evidences?
Our research
In 2022, we surveyed over 520 Australian early childhood educators to understand their neuroscience knowledge.
I chose to study educators in my childhood. This is because there is a research gap in understanding the teachings and care of young children. The survey was distributed online via multiple channels, including mailing lists, social media and professional associations.
Approximately 74% of respondents worked in long nursery or kindergarten/kindergarten (educating children in the final year before formal school). Approximately 63% had bachelor’s or graduate qualifications.
Our Discoveries
Respondents were asked if various false statements were true to assess their level of knowledge about neuroscience. The average correct score was 13.7 out of 27.
Some myths presented in our study were understood to be broad, correct, and false. For example, more than 90% of respondents were correctly identified.”When we sleep, our brains shut down“And “psychic ability is simply genetic; It cannot be changed depending on the environment Or experience it as if it is not true.
However, regarding other myths, most respondents either were uncertain or believed the statement was correct. for example:
- Only 7% of respondents who correctly identified “teaching different learning styles improve learning” were false.
- Only 15% of respondents identified correctly as “students are left or right hair.”
This suggests that educators need more evidence-based neuroscience content as part of professional education and development. While some neuroses may seem harmless, others can have real significance in educational decisions and student learning.
What are these neurotic problems?
Myth 1: “Teaching different learning styles improves learning”
Learning Style Ideas It gained popularity in the 1970s. This argued that if students received information in a very specific way, they would indicate improved learning in learning. For example, “visual learners” need to see information they can learn, while “auditory learners” need to hear it.
There is this It is recognized It’s been mythology since the mid-2000s, but the idea of learning styles continues. Among educators.
People may have a preferred way to access information, but there It’s not proof Learning suffers if no information is provided in this format. the study It is also displayed Teachers’ ideas about students’ learning styles do not tend to match students’ self-reported preferences.
Therefore, the decision awarded to the assumed student’s “learning style” may be flawed in any case.
Myth 2: “Students are either left or right hair”
Another A permanent idea Do you have any personality traits: the right brain (intuitive and creative) or the left brain (analytical and logical)?
There is evidence of some brain functions I hang out a little more on one side of my brain. for example, The language is on the left and Note is on the right. But there is There is no evidence Your personality or your aptitude comes from the left or right brain hemisphere, especially.
The harm of this myth comes from students who think they are “left brains rather than right,” and teachers reinforce this view. And from here on, you may think that young people should stick to the humanities or mathematics and science.
This can deprive students of exploring multiple academic and career paths. Certainly, some students would appear to be truly thriving as artists. However, we should not label students who may affect their confidence and their potential based on neurosis.
Kate E. WilliamsEducational professor, Sunshine Coast University
This article has been republished conversation Under the Creative Commons license. Please read Original article.
