Right Brain/Left Brain
What does it mean?
 An important factor to understanding learning styles is
understanding brain functioning.
 Both sides of the brain can reason, but by different
strategies, and one side may be dominant over the other.
What does it mean? (cont.)
 A left brain (successive processor) prefers to learn
in a step-by-step sequential format, beginning with
details leading to a conceptual understanding of a
skill.
 A right brain (simultaneous processor) prefers to
learn beginning with the general concept and then
going on to specifics.
What does it mean? (cont.)
 A middle brain person shares those of both left brain
and right brain characteristics.
 Middle brain often vacillate between the two
hemispheres when making decisions.
Who Am I?
 There are several ways to find out if your are left
brain or right brain.
 Several online test are available to test your
preferences and the way you approach problem
solving.
 In HERE, Deb Holst’s Human Relations Class, is
another location to obtain a brief understanding of
what you are.
Left Brain
Brian Dominance
Linear
Symbolic
Sequential
Left Brain, Here You Are!
 Left brain individuals process information in a
linear manner.
 They take pieces to the puzzle, line them up, and
arrange them in logical order. From this drawing
their conclusion to the puzzle.
 Left brain persons are list makers. They enjoy
making a master schedule and doing daily
planning.
Left Brain, Here You Are!
 People of left brain are usually good spellers
because spelling involves sequence.
 Left brains also work in the linear and sequential
processing of math and following directions.
 They have no trouble processing symbols,
memorizing vocabulary words and math formulas.
Left Brain Characteristics
Rational
Respond to verbal instructions
Controlled, systematic experiments
Problem solves logically and sequentially looking
at the parts of things
 Makes objective judgments
 Looks at differences
 Is planned and structured
 Prefers established, certain information.




Left Brain Characteristics
 Analytic reader
 Primary reliance on language in thinking and remembering
 Prefers talking and writing
 Prefers multiple choice test
 Controls feelings
 Prefers hierarchical authority structures
 Talks, and talks, and talks
 Sees cause and effect
 Draws on previously accumulated, organized information.
Right Brain
Brain Dominance
Holistic
Concrete
Random
Right Brain, Here You Are!
 While left brain people think in logical order, right
brain process from a whole to a part, holistically.
 Right brain have difficulty in following a lecture
unless they are given the big picture first.
 It is important for a right brained person to read a
chapter prior to lecture to better understand what
is being discussed.
Right Brain, Here You Are!
 The approach of a right brained person is random.
 Because of the random nature of a right brain, they
should make list and schedules to help them stay on
track.
 Right brain people are color sensitive. Try using
colors to establish sequences.
Right Brain, Here You Are!
 Right brain people are concrete.
 They want to see, feel, or touch the real object.
 Right brain individuals may have trouble learning
to read using phonics.
 They prefer to see words in context and to see how
formulas work.
 Create opportunities for hands on activities to use
your right brain.
Right Brain, Here You Are!
 When processing being a right brain, they use
intuition.
 They may know the right answer to a problem, but
are not sure how they got it.
 On a quiz, they have a gut feeling as to which
answers are correct, and they are usually right.
 The right side of the brain pays attention to
coherence and meaning, tells you if it “feels” right.
Right Brain, Here You Are!
 Right brained people may know what they mean but
often have trouble finding the right words.
 Right brain individuals need to back up everything
visually.
 When giving directions, they use their hands and
give names of places along the way verses hard
north, south, east, west.
Right Brain Characteristics








Intuitive
Responds to demonstrated instructions
Open-ended, random experiments
Problem solves with hunches, looking for patterns
Makes subjective judgments
Looks at similarities
Is fluid and spontaneous
Prefers elusive, uncertain information
Bibliography
 “Right Brain/Left Brain, Learning Styles”
www.mathpower.com/brain
 “Left vs. Right. Which Side Are You On?”
www.mtsu.edu
 “Left Brain/Right Brain”
http://content.scholastic.com
 Human Relations 1010 Nancy Conrad and Jackie