The brain is absolutely amazing and has amazing capabilities.

We probably have a certain way we think is best to go about learning. But, are we right? Is there a better way to learn? Are there some practices that achieve better results? Why do we retain some information but forget other information?

There seems to be more questions than answers and actually that's not a bad thing because that is how we learn. We ask questions. The more questions we ask, the more we search for the answers and discover new things. The more we discover, the more questions we have. What a great and wild circle of knowledge questions can lead us on.

That's how I started seeking more information about the brain and the physical changes that occur in the brain during the learning process. I concentrated on the interpretation of neuroscience research from reliable sources that helped make connections between neuroscience and education. The more I read and researched, the more questions I had and the more I wanted to investigate. But not only that, the more I was able to decipher hype from research-based information so I could apply it to myself and my students.

Here are just a few notes to start you thinking about your brain and learning:

* Rote learning is inefficient.
* The person who thinks, learns.
* Practice makes permanent.
* 70 - 90% of learning is forgotten within 18 to 24 hours of the lesson.
* Learning is a process that takes time. Cramming is not learning.
* The one who does the work, does the learning.
* Memories are made during sleep.
* Memory is helped by exercise when helpful neurochemicals are released in your brain.
* Sustained practice over time, distributed practice or interleaving, is the key to retention.
* You increase the chances of recall if you use multiple sensory paths to learn.

Here are a few short lessons on how the brain learns which offer a quick introduction.

1. How the Brain Learns
2. Memory
3. Practice Makes Permanent
4. Factors That Affect Learning