I was a little surprised that 'use it or lose it' was actually true! That was a little scary. I had no idea how the brain worked so finding out about the growth and processes that go on was pretty fascinating. I would like to know how the brain chooses to get rid of some channels. How often do you have to use them to keep them?
The picture shows how few connections between neurons there are when you are born, how they develop so quickly. Many develop in early childhood, but if they are not used, the brain gets rid of them. The third picture represents the brain becoming more efficient.
I was also surprised at how true the "use it or lose it" phrase is! I found it interesting to actually find out the science reason behind why the phrase is true. From the reading, I understood that the brain chooses to get rid of some channels because they are not being used, and the brain needs more space for more important matters that are being used more. I don't remember a fact about how often something needs to be used to keep it in the brain, but I would guess every couple years. If you think about it, all throughout school, most students learn something over and over again, and it seems the time period between learning things again (for my school corporation) is about 2-3 years. For example I had US History my 8th grade year, and had it again my junior. I also learned some chemistry in 7th grade and learned it again in 10th grade.
ReplyDeleteYou are totally right about how much that we know on the brain is still debatable. This connected to my post because to me it seemed like a double standard where the old things are thrown out the window but yet they're still kept almost for a taste of nostalgia it seems. Along with that I have experienced the "use it or lose it" because I used to play trumpet a lot and now I haven't played it in almost two years so if I were to pick it up now it would be quite difficult to play as well as I did.
ReplyDeleteI didn't even realize that in the chapter it stated if you "use it or lose it". That's pretty interesting that the brain has the way to channel out information if it is not being used.
ReplyDeleteI definetely agree that as teachers we need to understand how the brain develops and works over time. Like myself I want to work with elementary students and their brain is in its prime time as far as development goes. Therefore, I need to learn how to deal with issues that can come up with my students. I need to know how to teach them effectively so that they will remember and build off of the newly learned information. As stated in the chapter at the age of six is when the brain has the neurons forming. We have to keep the newly learned information fresh in the brain so that students will not forget. This is very important to know when teaching smaller children.