Accelerated Learning:
Maximizing the Capacity of Your Amazing Brain
Your brain is made up of a
trillion brain cells. Each brain
cell is like the most
phenomenally complex little
octopus. It has a center, it has
many branches, and each
branch has many connecting
points. And each one of those
billions of brain cells is many
times more powerful and
sophisticated than most of the
computers around the planet
today. Each one of these brain
cells connects and embraces
hundreds of thousands of
others. And they shuttle
information back and forward.
It’s been called an enchanted
loom, the most astounding,
complex beautiful thing in
existence. And each person has
one.
How do we make the most of
it’s great ability? First learn
how it works. How does
memory work? How does
concentration work? What is
the best way to learn and to
teach? Start your brain
exploration and you will come
up with some interesting
surprises.
First, you have three distinct
brains in one.
The Triune Brain: Three
Brains In One
1. Reptilian Brain
Our brain stem emerges
directly from the spinal column
and controls our very basic,
instinctive responses:
breathing, heart rate, self
preservation.
It’s been called an
enchanted loom, the
most astounding,
complex beautiful
thing in existence.
And each person
has one.
2. Limbic System - is
located in the center of the
brain. It controls our emotions,
pleasure centers and memory.
3. Neocortex is the top of the
brain. It controls intellectual
processes including: spatial and
mathematical thinking,
dreaming and remembering,
processing and decoding and
understanding language.
Next, you have seven different
intelligence centers. The first
two are highly valued in
traditional education.
Seven Intelligences
1. Linguistic - indicating a
knack for language and an ease
with words.
2. Logical/Mathematical -
involving thinking in concepts
and looking for abstract
patterns.
3. Musical - indicating a
strong sense of rhythm and
melody.
4. Visual/Spatial - By which
one learns visually through
images, colors and metaphors.
5. Kinesthetic - By which
one learns by movement and
repetition of the body and
hands.
6. Interpersonal - by which
one relates well and easily
cooperates with others.
7. Intrapersonal - By which
one learns best alone and is
good at self-teaching.
Next, let’s look at how our
brain stores information. As a
patterning device, the brain
almost certainly has no equal.
Your Perfect Memory
The brain stores information
by making great use of
associations. Every person’s
brain has an association cortex.
It can link up like with like,
from different memory banks.
Learning to store information in
patterns and with strong
association is probably the first
step toward developing your
brain’s untapped ability.
Many researchers are now
convinced that we can absorb
information much more quickly
and effectively when our brains
are in a state of relaxed
alertness.
Let’s next look at learning
techniques that utilize our
knowledge of how the brain
works. Some of the new
techniques go by a variety of
names: suggestopedia, neuro
linguistic programming and
integrative accelerated learning.
But the best combine these
three things: they’re fun, fast
and fulfilling. And the best
involve relaxation, action,
stimulation, emotion and
enjoyment.
From the best research all
good training and education
programs involve six key
principles. Not surprisingly,
each of these principles works
best for an adult in almost the
same way it works for a small
child, when learning develops
quickly and easily through
exploration and fun. Each of us
has an individual, preferred
way of learning that suits us
best.
And they work best when
they are delivered by a teacher
who is an involver - not a
lecturer - who as a facilitator,
orchestrates these factors.
Six Stages of Learning
1. State of Mind
Create a resourceful state of
mind. Relaxed, motivated and
confident.
• Orchestrating the
environment,
• Positive mood of teacher
and student,
• Peripheral posters.
2. Intake
Ensure all the senses are fully
Six Stages of
Learning
1. State of Mind
2. Intake
3. Process
4. Store
5. Act
6. Review
involved as you get the basic
facts.
• Get the big picture first,
• Use all learning styles,
• Step out of the lecturing
role.
3. Process
Explore the subject via the
range of seven intelligences.
Activities to turn data into
understanding, including
games, skits, discussions and
plays.
4. Store
Memorize the key facts.
Remember them and the whole
subject is triggered. Deep
memory techniques for
permanent storage. Combine it
with what you already know.
5. Act
“Show You Know”. Put
yourself to the test. Works in
pairs or teams.
• Use it,
• Do it,
• Mind map it.
6. Review
Reflect on the way you learned.
Understand and control the
process of your own learning.
Thinking about your thinking.
When you learn the
techniques that exactly match
your personal learning style,
you will be learning in the way
that is most natural for you.
Because it is natural, it is
easier, it is faster. That’s why
we call it Accelerated Learning.
When teachers or trainers use
the same six steps, they ensure
the learning experience is
complete. When both learner
and teacher work in the same
six-step sequence, they are able
to collaborate fully to ensure
learning is enjoyable, effective
and fast.
And since corporations learn
like people, the same six
principles of Accelerated
Learning can be used to insure
that organizations learn better
and faster.
Monte Lewis is a partner with Lewis
Associates, Inc., a training and
consulting agency affiliated with
Brian Tracy International. Monte can
be reached at 708/386-3377 or at
lewisadvantage.com.