Running head: THE UNEQUAL SIDES OF THE BRAIN

The Unequal Sides of the Brain and Their Different Approaches to Learning Melanie Le COLL100 College 100 American Military University Daniel Green

THE UNEQUAL SIDES OF THE BRAIN The Unequal Sides of the Brain and Their Different Approaches to Learning The brain controls all of the human bodys processes and voluntary and involuntary actions, thus making it one of the most important organs. It is divided into the left and right

sides, or hemispheres. The left and right brain hemispheres specialize in different functions, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. One side of the brain is not better than the other. Every activity involves both sides of the brain, usually one side more than the other. People tend to have a more dominant side of the brain, and this affects the most efficient way that they learn and process information. Learning which side is more dominant can greatly enhance their learning experience. The left brain hemisphere serves many useful purposes to humans. Hugdahl and Westernausen (2009) suggest that the left hemisphere developed in humans as a response to an evolutionary push for language and speech processing. Therefore, language and speech abilities are functions are mostly controlled by this side of the brain. Left brain dominant people are also logical and can draw conclusions in problem solving situations. They are able to comprehend information through reading and listening, but have problems understanding emotions and are not intuitive. They are also more inclined to work and study independently and in a quiet and organized environment (Connell, 2002). The right side of the brain is different from the left side in that it interprets information visually, creatively, and emotionally (Smith, 2008). It has a specialization for attentional and spatial processes, meaning that it is artistic and views things as more as objects and symbols (Hugdahl & Davidson, 2003). Consequently, people dominant in side of the brain has problems following and concentrating on lectures and can become distracted. They also have trouble expressing themselves in words, even though they do know how they feel. Instead, they prefer

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and can express themselves through visual and non-verbal subjects like music and art and like to work with noises in the background (Smith, 2008). Schools have a tendency to use methods of learning more oriented towards the left brain hemisphere, such as lectures and assigned reading. Many students, as a result, have difficulties learning in these methods and get behind simply because they are right brain dominant. Left brain dominant students, unfortunately, can give the impression that they are smarter, but that is not the case. Students should take a cognitive test to determine their brain dominance. This can help identify the best ways for them to learn. Additionally, educators should incorporate learning styles that are more beneficial to right brain dominant students through videos and visuals like charts and graphs (Connell, 2002). The learning environment can then become a more equal place both types of students. In an ideal world, schools will make the classroom advantageous and fair to both types of students. However, such a world does not exist. The human brain, luckily, is an amazing organ and able to develop and improve the lesser user used part of the brain. If humans utilize both the left and right hemispheres of the brain to their full strengths and abilities, it is unimaginable what it would be capable of doing.

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References Connell, D. (2002). Left brain right brain. Instructor. 112(2), 28-32. Retrieved from http://web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy2.apus.edu/ehost/detail?sid=02966e77-4ac8-48e2-a4bd -50ecb4831514%40sessionmgr112&vid=2&hid=106&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl 2ZQ%3d%3d#db=ehh&AN=8967357 Hugdahl, K., & Davidson, R. J. (2003). The asymmetrical brain. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press. Hugdahl, K., & Westernausen, R. (2009). What is left is right: how speech asymmetry shaped the brain. European Psychologist. 14(1):78-89. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.ezpro xy2.apus.edu/docview/614526784/fulltextPDF?accountid=8289 Smith, T. C. (2008, January 4). Left and right sides of the brain: which is your dominant side? Retrieved June 27, 2012 from http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/exchange/node/1733