"There is no one right way to teach adults. Nevertheless, student learning can be enhanced if educators align practice with how the brain functions." (Merriam, 2008, p. 53) Teaching with the brain in mind means that as an educator you need to challenge your students but not put too much stress on them. "Too much stress greatly inhibits learning, insufficient challenge can also have a negative impact; a bored brain stops attending." (Merriam, 2008, p. 57)
However as an educator you also need to realize that students learn by making prior connections. "Listening to lectures and reading texts are valuable learning experiences, but the learners likely to derive the most benefit are those who can draw on related prior experience. (Merriam, 2008, p. 54) When a student learns new information, the brain tries to find links to related information. The student has a better chance of “making sense” of the new information and remembering it if it has prior information to link it to.
Teaching with the brain in mind means that the educator needs to understand how learning takes place in the brain and use teaching methods that support student learning.
Merriam, Sharan (2008), Third Update on Adult Learning Theory. New Directions for Adult and Continuing Education. Number 119, Fall 2008, Francisco: JosseyBass.
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