Environmental and Chemical Factors
Related to Learning
Amanda Weeks
Ashford University
EDU417: Cognitive Studies Capstone
Professor J. Savarese-Levine
February 2, 2014
What Affects Your Child’s
Brain?
It important to have a basic
understanding of the
chemical factors (i.e.,
Environmental factors
also have a major
impact, including:
O Sleep
neurotransmitters) that
O Exercise
affect your child’s ability to
O Nutrition
learn.
O Technology
Some Common
Neurotransmitters
Dopamine
Multiple functions depending
on where in the brain it acts;
vital to movement and
thought and regulating
emotional responses.
Serotonin
Helps regulate temperature,
sensory perception, mood,
and sleep.
Acetylcholine
May aid in regulating memory;
controls actions of skeletal
and smooth muscle.
Sleep, Exercise, Nutrition, and
Technology: Effects on Learning
and Memory
Why Your Child Needs a Good
Night’s Sleep
O At certain times during the sleep cycle, the brain
is as active as when we are awake and problemsolving.
O During sleep, consolidation occurs, which is “the
process of stabilizing a memory trace over time,
moving it from short-term to long-term memory”
(Wolfe, 2010, p. 96).
O While we sleep, we process information we
learned during the day, which contributes
strongly to memory formation.
The Importance of Nutrition
to Learning
O Complex carbs improve attention, working
O
O
O
O
memory, and episodic secondary memory.
Obese adults have been shown to have 8% less
brain tissue.
High levels of saturated fats impair memory and
learning.
Omega-3 fatty acids are vital to hormone
balance and immune system, which are
essential to a healthy brain.
Neurotransmitters are composed of amino
acids, which we gain from our diet.
How Exercise Impacts
Learning
O Physical activity
increases oxygen flow
to the bloodstream,
which increases
growth and plasticity of
frontal lobes.
O Exercise can induce
neurogenesis (growth
of new neurons).
O Movement causes
the release of
proteins that trigger
the release of BDNF
(brain-derived
neurotropic factor),
which stimulates
neural growth and
learning.
Technology and Learning:
Both Risks and Benefits of Video
Games and TV are Highly Debatable
O The effects of TV shows
and video games depend
on the content, age of
the child, and time spent
viewing/playing.
O If they replace valuable
activities such as
exercise and studying,
the impact is quite
negative.
O Shows with complex plots
can enhance higher level
thinking skills.
O Well-designed educational
video games can focus on
critical skills and provide
practice, feedback, and
motivation.
O Games that allow players
to work together enhance
social skills.
References
O
Fischer , K. W., Immordino-Yang, M. H., & , (2008). The
Jossey-Bass reader on the brain and learning. (1st ed.).
San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
O
Ganzer, C., & Zauderer, C. (2011). Promoting a brainhealthy lifestyle. Nursing Older People, 23(7), 24-27.
Retrieved from Ashford Library.
O
Weis, T., Puschmann, S., Brechmann, A., & Thiel, C. M.
(2012). Effects of L-dopa during Auditory Instrumental
Learning in Humans. Plus ONE, 7(12), 111.
doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0052504. Retrieved from
Ashford Library.
O
Wolfe, P. (2010). Brain matters: Translating research into
classroom practice. (2nd ed.). Alexandria,VA:
Association for Supervision & Curriculum Development.