Plastic Brains and Learning Theories
We have probably learned more about how our brains work in the last 10 -15 years than we have in the entire history of medical research. Those insights are creating a revolution in learning theory which is offering us a chance to learn anything better, faster and more easily than ever before.
The bottom line is that our brains can change their structure and function and this is dependant on what we do and what we perceive, sense, think about and imagine. These insights have generated a huge interest in brain fitness and lifelong learning as means of reducing the mental effects of the aging process.
The principal activities of brains are making changes in themselves.”
–Marvin L. Minsky (from Society of the Mind, 1986)
We used to think that our brains became fixed during childhood but the fact is our brains change continuously throughout our lives.
If we do reduce our learning in later age it seems this is more about our mental unwillingness (option) to try rather than any physical restriction (ability) of our brains.
This ability to change is called neuroplasticity, it presents an optimistic picture of our ability to adapt and benefit from lifelong learning. There is no reason why we can’t have the lifestyle that encourages continual learning right through our old age.
And the research indicates that if we did that we would all be a lot more mentally healthier in our retirement.
So our brains change based upon our experience so what happens are that in the brain, nerve cells, or neurons, grow new connections in fractions of a second which resemble branches on a tree. These branches send and receive signals the more branches there are, the more sites by which a neuron can send and receive information. These branches connect to form complex neuronal networks or maps that store memory and ways of thinking .
If we relate that change to learning it means that learning is a physical process of the modification and growth and pruning of these maps of neuron connections.
According to Jeffrey Schwartz “wherever we focus our brains attention that’s where we are making and reinforcing connections”
So we are wired for learning and better learning means more focused attention or “a little and often” practice and reflection. And better learning also means better mental health in our old age.
I guess it is another case of “use it or lose it”