Brain Friendly Teaching

12. Using a variety of sensory modalities can help students build stronger and more retrievable memories.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Engaging multiple senses (visual, auditory, kinesthetic, etc.) during learning helps activate different areas of the brain, creating more neural connections. This variety enhances memory retention and makes it easier for students to retrieve information later. When information is presented through multiple sensory channels, it becomes more deeply encoded in the brain, leading to stronger, longer-lasting memories.

Which factors are stressors that hinder a growth mindset?

• Test-taking anxiety
• Fear of being wrong
• Excelling in every test
• Prior mastery boredom

Answer explanation

They are stressors that hinder a growth mindset by promoting fear of failure and reducing engagement in learning challenges. These factors can discourage students from exploring new ideas and learning from mistakes, which are essential for developing a growth mindset.

The ________ Activating System is a part of the brain that acts as a "gatekeeper" for sensory input.

Answer explanation

The Reticular Activating System (RAS) is a network located in the brainstem, specifically in areas such as the midbrain, pons, and medulla. It acts as a "gatekeeper" for sensory input by prioritizing new or important information for processing, helping the brain focus on relevant stimuli.

Which part of the brain is responsible for emotional responses and automatic reactions like fight-or-flight?

• • Cortex

• • Thalamus

• • Amygdala

• Hippocampus

Answer explanation

The amygdala is primarily responsible for processing emotions. It plays a key role in the fight-or-flight response, which is an automatic reaction to perceived threats.

Which of the following are examples of a mnemonic?

• ROY G BIV

• • A pop quiz

• • Multiple-choice questions

• • Every Good Boy Does Fine

Answer explanation

Mnemonics are memory aids or strategies that use associations for easy recall. They are especially useful in learning sequences or lists.

What type of memory does rote memorization typically produce?

• Deeply connected networks
• Long-lasting memories
• Isolated and weak circuits
• Conceptual memory

Answer explanation

Rote memorization involves the repetition of information without understanding its deeper meaning or connections to other knowledge. This usually leads to the formation of isolated and weak memory circuits, which are not well-integrated with other neural networks. As a result, information learned through rote memorization is often more difficult to retrieve and less durable over time compared to information learned through meaningful engagement and understanding.

12. Using a variety of sensory _______ can help students build stronger and more retrievable memories.

Answer explanation

Presenting information in different forms helps create more neural connections associated with the learned material, making the memories stronger and more easily retrievable. This method leverages the brain's natural ability to process and remember information received through different sensory pathways.

Rank the stages of long-term memory formation in the correct order.

• Acquisition, Transfer, Meaning Making
• Meaning Making, Acquisition, Transfer
• Acquisition, Meaning Making, Transfer
• Transfer, Acquisition, Meaning Making

Answer explanation

The correct order of long-term memory formation is Acquisition, Meaning Making, Transfer. Acquisition involves learning new information, meaning making is the process of understanding and connecting it to existing knowledge, and transfer is applying what’s been learned to new situations. This sequence ensures that learning moves from simple knowledge intake to deeper understanding and practical application.

In the acquisition stage of the AMT process, teachers primarily act as:

• Dispensers of information

• • Coaches

• • Cheerleaders

Answer explanation

In the acquisition stage of the AMT (Acquisition, Meaning Making, Transfer) process, the teacher's primary role is to dispense information. This stage focuses on introducing new knowledge or skills, where the teacher provides the necessary information that students need to begin the learning process. The facilitation of meaning-making and coaching are roles that become more prominent in the later stages of the AMT process.

How can a growth mindset positively influence academic performance?

• It helps students believe that effort and learning strategies can lead to improvement.
• It encourages students to embrace challenges.
• It promotes perseverance when faced with setbacks.
• It makes students avoid difficult tasks to prevent failure.

Answer explanation

A growth mindset positively influences academic performance by helping students believe that effort and effective learning strategies can lead to improvement. It encourages them to embrace challenges and promotes perseverance when faced with setbacks, fostering resilience and a willingness to keep trying. Unlike a fixed mindset, it helps students see mistakes as opportunities to learn rather than something to avoid.