Knowledge
Connecting Two Hemispheres: Qualitative Teaching & Effective Learning
An expert article on effective teaching-learning techniques that engages the whole intellect of students
The left and right side of the brain serve different functions. But both are just as important to learning as the other. No part of the brain works independently. Therefore, teaching to both sides of the brain is a great practice, and educators must think of ways to bring in the context of what is taught and introduced to the students for the learning to be relevant.
For the children to learn to their maximum potential and achieve goals, teaching methods that educate both sides of the brain are of the utmost importance. Effective learning no longer focuses simply on analysis and memorization; creativity and visualization are also equally important. The left and the right sides of the brain often have to work together and share many functions. This is why it is so important to teach both sides of the brain in the classroom.
Learning builds neural networks in the brain, and the strongest ones are built via concrete experiences. Therefore, most effective teaching happens with concrete experiences. With clear insight, many educators should focus on how to connect the academic content to the child's real-life and bring about the usage and application of the content at hand.
As teachers, the more we have students utilize BOTH the brain's hemispheres, the more engaged and learning is taking place. Processing, problem-solving, recalling and evaluating require both sides of the brain to connect to get the job done well. In doing so, the educator truly hooks the child's attention, and the child is ready for learning.
Both sides of the brain must be stimulated during the educational process for the children to need to develop analytical, logical, language and problem-solving skills. In addition, children also need to develop spatial awareness, emoting skills, and creativity. Therefore, a teacher who educates by teaching both sides of the brain will significantly help with a child's development.
Teaching both sides of the brain allows the educator to push the student into a motivated state by linking academic content to students past experiences. The positive emotions associated with these experiences are now associated with learning. This allows students to have a clear cognitive focus.
As an educator, it becomes imperative to connect the context while teaching content. Also, research suggests that the early development of the child's brain is twice as active as the brains
of adults and experiences of this period are determined by the brain's capacity. The brain integration or connection of the two sides of the brain means that certain areas with their unique features become connected through synaptic connections. These integrated connections allow more complex functions, such as awareness, empathy, intuition, and morals.
A significant challenge that can be seen in teaching in schools over the past years is the lack of time. Therefore, time and its optimum utilization, becomes critical, especially for the schools. Many times to complete the vast syllabus, teachers tend to skip the context part. It is essential as educators to find a solution and strategies to effectively allow the kids to use both sides of the brain – creative and analytical for effective and quality learning.
As with a muscle, the more the brain is exercised, the more it develops, leading to an increase in learning and remembering. Therefore, if we educators can exercise the entire brain, the student should learn and remember more. Learning and knowledge, after all, isn't just about information; it's about understanding.
Author: Siddharth Rajgarhia, Chief Learner-Director, Delhi Public School, Nashik, Varanasi & Lava Nagpur