Learning and Memory: Understandings from Educational Neuroscience

This course introduces our uniquely human brain and provides an overview of the central nervous system; the limbic system and the concept of neuroplasticity. Social interaction is at the core of how emotions initiate and signal the processing and placement of information in the brain. This short course provides an overview and explores memory formation and learning; focusing on what happens in the brain when different emotional and arousal states are present. For instance; students will learn how; as part of the limbic system; the amygdala imbues memories and events with emotional significance; and can initiate fear responses that bypass rational processes taking place in the prefrontal cortex – it can therefore be ‘hijacked’ by certain stimuli; such as chronic stress and anger. Together we will explore the implications of stress on learning and memory and authentic assessment forms for promoting content retention.