1) List your earliest memory. What specifically stands out?

1) List your earliest memory. What specifically stands out?

2) Discuss this memory with a partner. We will hear a sample.

Neurobiology Lessons:What Medical Educators

Need to Know

Garrett MeyersMAJ, MC, USA

Objectives

• Explored five principles of neuroscience important to education

• Experienced and listed a “toolkit” of techniques harnessing each principle

Take-Home Points

• Education changes brains!• Consider these changes when planning

learning sessions• Use your toolbox of evidence-based

educational practices

Increasing reference availability reflects the growth of our knowledge.

Remember – the brain is an organ.

The brain has three major divisions.

The limbic system includes structures responsible for long-term memory storage.

The cerebral cortex is inextricably linked to the limbic system.

Information Processing Model

OUT

OUT

OUT

Sensory

Register

Immediate memory

Long-Term Storage

Working memory

STORING

RETRIEVING

Activity – IP Model

In your folders are information sheets with four primary roles for the Information processing Model. Each individual should take 2-3 minutes to read their role and prepare to discuss with your table.

1. Sensory Register2. Immediate memory3. Working memory4. Long-term Storage / Memory

The brain has > 1 billion neurons.

An increased number and strength of synaptic connections form when learning.

Memory is a dynamic process.

So What? - Activity

• Think-Pair-Share– Using your handout, take a moment to rank

the five principles of neurobiology listed, in order of their importance to your teaching efforts.

– Discuss with a partner.

Five Principles for Education

Active Engagement

Attention

Short-Term Memory

Long-Term Memory

Stress

1) Active Engagement

Functional changes in neural circuitry occur best when the learner is actively engaged.

Active Engagement

Medical education is slowly changing.

Active Engagement

Team-Based Learning

Problem-Based Learning

Small Group Activities

Learners as Teachers

Simulation

Active Engagement

2) Attention

“Multitasking, when it comes to paying attention, is a myth.”- Dr. John Medina

After 10 minutes, audience attention steadily drops.

Attention

After 10 minutes, tell a story, show a video, have the learners do something.

Keep it relevant!

Attention

3) Short term memory

“______________ is the key

to adult learning.”

“Going deeper,” rather than touching on all information, results in deeper understanding and better retention.

Short-term

memory

4) Long-term memory

Memory is not fixed at the moment of learning.

Repetition, with appropriate spacing,

is the fixative.

Long-term

memory

OUT

Long-Term StorageWorking

memory

STORING

RETRIEVING

SENSE

MEANING

Take 1 minute to list potential strategies utilizing repetition.

Examples:- The “Ambassador” Activity

- Introduction, wrap-up

- “See one, do one, teach one”

- Recitation with different learner levels

5) Stress

Stress can generate molecular signals that

facilitate synaptic potentiation.

Moderation is key.

Stress

Five Principles for Education

Active Engagement

Attention

Short-Term Memory

Long-Term Memory

Stress

Other Principles

• Visualization• Sensory Integration• Individual Learning Styles• Exercise• Sleep / Fatigue• Reward and Reinforcement

Commitment to Act

How will you incorporate these principles in your teaching?

Take-Home Points

• Education changes brains!• Consider these changes when planning

learning sessions• Use your toolbox of evidence-based

educational practices