BRAIN FUNCTIONS AND BRAIN FUNCTIONS AND THE IMPLICATIONS FOR THE IMPLICATIONS FOR INFORMATION LITERACYINFORMATION LITERACY

Presented by Lisa DewanePresented by Lisa Dewane

PRESENTATION OVERVIEWPRESENTATION OVERVIEW

Problem Solving ActivityProblem Solving Activity

Introduction to Brain Functions & Cognitive Introduction to Brain Functions & Cognitive

ScienceScience

Description of Specific Brain FunctionsDescription of Specific Brain Functions

Implications for Information LiteracyImplications for Information Literacy

Discussion of HandoutDiscussion of Handout

PROBLEM SOLVING ACTIVITYPROBLEM SOLVING ACTIVITY Various emotions felt throughout the Various emotions felt throughout the

process (fear, frustration, process (fear, frustration, excitement, anxiety, etc.)excitement, anxiety, etc.)

Many ways to find a solution.Many ways to find a solution. Rely on Strengths or Preferences Rely on Strengths or Preferences

(draw a picture, talk it out, work (draw a picture, talk it out, work together with a partner, work alone, together with a partner, work alone, make a diagram or chart, etc.)make a diagram or chart, etc.)

When one technique fails, try When one technique fails, try another.another.

COGNITIVE SCIENCECOGNITIVE SCIENCE

Interdisciplinary field created from Interdisciplinary field created from Neuroscience and Cognitive Psychology.Neuroscience and Cognitive Psychology.

Combines the physiology with the Combines the physiology with the psychology of the brain.psychology of the brain.

5 Core Beliefs:5 Core Beliefs:I.I. UnityUnityII.II. NativismNativismIII.III. ControlControlIV.IV. ConnectivityConnectivityV.V. InterconnectivityInterconnectivity

BRAIN FUNCTIONSBRAIN FUNCTIONS Knowledge of central brain functions is Knowledge of central brain functions is

necessary to understanding how the brain necessary to understanding how the brain processes information. processes information.

First Process: Reticular Activating System (RAS)

Brain Stem

Midbrain

The RAS acts like light switch between the limbic system and the cerebral cortex.

RAS

Second Process: Synapses

* www.rose.edu/faculty/ gjackson/nev-sys.htm

LEFT BRAIN VERSUS RIGHT BRAIN: THE BATTLE CONTINUES

BRAIN LATERALIZATIONBRAIN LATERALIZATION

* cenocracy.topcities.com/ cro7b.html

*www.simbromcampisi.com/ creativity.html

The Cortical Arousal The Cortical Arousal TheoryTheory

Supported by the work Supported by the work of Martindale.of Martindale.

Shows creative people Shows creative people exhibit a marked exhibit a marked decrease in cortical decrease in cortical arousal while solving arousal while solving problems creatively.problems creatively.

TWO SCHOOLS OF THOUGHT TWO SCHOOLS OF THOUGHT ABOUT CREATIVITYABOUT CREATIVITY

Weinberg’s TheoryWeinberg’s Theory Claims creativity is a Claims creativity is a

part of normal part of normal problem solving.problem solving.

Proposed that Proposed that creativity is creativity is intelligence combined intelligence combined with a large amount of with a large amount of domain specific domain specific knowledge that knowledge that enables a person to enables a person to have creative have creative thoughts.thoughts.

GENDER DIFFERENCESGENDER DIFFERENCESMale Versus FemaleMale Versus Female

Used only left side of brain Used only left side of brain to sound out words and to sound out words and for listening.for listening.

Fewer fibers connect the Fewer fibers connect the hemispheres of the brain. hemispheres of the brain.

Average weight of the Average weight of the brain = 49.5 oz. brain = 49.5 oz.

Contains more white Contains more white matter matter

Have better long-distance Have better long-distance vision and spatial skills. vision and spatial skills.

Better at systemizing. Better at systemizing. Have less control over Have less control over

impulses.impulses.

Used both sides of brain to Used both sides of brain to sound out words and for sound out words and for listening.listening.

Contain many folds of Contain many folds of cortical tissue at the top of cortical tissue at the top of the frontal and parietal the frontal and parietal lobes.lobes.

Average weight of the Average weight of the brain = 44 oz. brain = 44 oz.

Contains more gray Contains more gray matter.matter.

Have better hearing and Have better hearing and communication skills.communication skills.

Better at empathizing.Better at empathizing. Better impulse control.Better impulse control.

CURRENT MEMORY MODELCURRENT MEMORY MODELACQUISITION

IS THE INFORMATION

CRUCIAL?YES

SHORT TERM

MEMORY

TRANSFER OR REPLACE?LONG TERM MEMORY

TWO PRIMARY MODES TWO PRIMARY MODES OF MEMORYOF MEMORY

DeclarativeDeclarative ProceduralProcedural Relating to factsRelating to facts Shorter term memory Shorter term memory of facts and events or of of facts and events or of discrete information.discrete information. Can easily be Can easily be verbalized.verbalized. Difficult to retain Difficult to retain without frequent recall.without frequent recall. Example: Topeka is Example: Topeka is the capital of Kansas.the capital of Kansas.

Motor SkillsMotor Skills ReflexesReflexes Long term memory of Long term memory of skills as opposed to skills as opposed to things.things. DurableDurable Can be remembered Can be remembered without frequent recall.without frequent recall. Examples: Riding a Examples: Riding a bike or addition facts.bike or addition facts.

DECLARATIVE MEMORYDECLARATIVE MEMORY

Semantic MemorySemantic Memory Recall of tangible Recall of tangible

items.items. Examples: books, Examples: books,

movie, and symbols.movie, and symbols. Includes knowledge Includes knowledge

that is independent of that is independent of personal experience.personal experience.

Example: grammar Example: grammar rules.rules.

Episodic MemoryEpisodic Memory Recall of events, Recall of events,

circumstances, and circumstances, and locations.locations.

Formed by the Formed by the personal memory of personal memory of events, including events, including some sense of time some sense of time and place.and place.

For both types of memory, recall is central to the durability of these memories.

““The secret of good memory is attention, and attention to a The secret of good memory is attention, and attention to a subject depends upon our interest in it. We rarely forget that subject depends upon our interest in it. We rarely forget that

which has made a deep impression on our minds”. which has made a deep impression on our minds”.

*www.ninger.com/jfs/drink.gif

THINKING AND LEARNING THINKING AND LEARNING PREFERENCESPREFERENCES

Based upon:Based upon:• Physiological predispositionPhysiological predisposition• Life experiencesLife experiences• MotivationMotivation

Or a combination of all three factors?Or a combination of all three factors?

KOLB’S THEORY OF KOLB’S THEORY OF EXPERIENTIAL LEARNINGEXPERIENTIAL LEARNING

Each way of learning is present to Each way of learning is present to some extent in every individual.some extent in every individual.

*www.cyg.net/~jblackmo/diglib/styl-d.html

PASK’S THEORY ABOUT PASK’S THEORY ABOUT PROBLEM SOLVINGPROBLEM SOLVING

Two Ways to Solve a Problem

Holistically Serially

View the big

picture and how it relates

to the problem.

Prefer tofollow set

proceduresfocused on thedetails.

HOWARD GARDNER’S HOWARD GARDNER’S MULTIPLE INTELLIGENCES MULTIPLE INTELLIGENCES

THEORYTHEORY

Howard Gardner’s Theory of Multiple

Intelligences

Music

Smart

Math Smart

Word Smart

Body Smart Reflective Smart

Picture Smart

Nature Smart

Self Smart

People Smart

**www.uark.edu/ALADDIN/opwc/SteveHolst/fishHolst.jpg& & www.wpsweb.com/ mi/micomponents.htm

IMPLICATIONS FOR IMPLICATIONS FOR INFORMATION LITERACYINFORMATION LITERACY

Uniqueness of each individualUniqueness of each individual StereotypingStereotyping Neutral QuestioningNeutral Questioning A Positive AttitudeA Positive Attitude Encourage CreativityEncourage Creativity Gender DifferencesGender Differences AgeAge Awareness of Learning PreferencesAwareness of Learning Preferences MemoryMemory

CONCLUSIONSCONCLUSIONS Diagnosis of needs and customization of services is Diagnosis of needs and customization of services is

more difficult than it first appears.more difficult than it first appears. Use patron’s strengths to improve weaknesses.Use patron’s strengths to improve weaknesses. Involve patrons in the research process.Involve patrons in the research process. The key to customization of services involves the The key to customization of services involves the

personal connection felt by patrons when using the personal connection felt by patrons when using the library.library.

Positive experiences build confidence in patrons Positive experiences build confidence in patrons and motivate them to return when another and motivate them to return when another information need arises.information need arises.

Additionally, positive results help patrons to Additionally, positive results help patrons to understand the importance of and need for libraries understand the importance of and need for libraries in every community.in every community.

Various factors impact the way an information Various factors impact the way an information seeker acquires and uses information.seeker acquires and uses information.

An awareness of these factors creates a lasting An awareness of these factors creates a lasting impact on information seekers.impact on information seekers.

REFERENCESREFERENCES

Please see the separate reference Please see the separate reference page given to you with the handout.page given to you with the handout.