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141-142). Learning Is A Holistic Process That Involves The Brain, The Nervous ...

141-142). Learning is a holistic process that involves the brain, the nervous system and the environment, and the process by which they interplay to acquire information and skills (Sousa, 2006, p.85). The degree to which learning is successful can depend on a number of factors including emotions, which are controlled to a large extent by some of the hormones produced in the brain. A number of factors that elevate production of new neurones in the brain, such as exercise, have been shown to enhance learning. With an estimated one in six of the population displaying some sort of learning difficulties during their time at school (Rutherford, 2004), it is important that the growing body of knowledge about the brain and how it learns is applied in educational setting at all levels.
Exercise in the Learning Process:
With an increasing understanding of the brain comes an increasing understanding of ways in which the learning process can be enhanced by a stimulating environment, in which physical activity can play an important part. Exercise helps increase the release of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which supports learning and memory function and the repair and maintenance of neural circuits (Jensen, 2006, p.178). Studies have found that physical activity in mammals has increased the production of brain cells which become functional, thereby leading to increased brain activity (Jensen, 2006, p.178). Haranda and colleagues found that individuals who jogged regularly performed better than their non jogging counterparts on learning and memory tasks (Harada et al., 2004).
The Cerebellum:
Researchers have found that the cerebellum, which contains half the cells in the brain, plays an important role in attention, long term memory, spatial perception, impulse control and the frontal lobe's cognitive functioning, the same area that stimulated during learning (Bower and Parsons, 2003). The cerebellum or hind brain plays a critical role in the learning process. It is believed to play a central role in making skills automatic, something often lacking in children and adults with learning difficulties.
Deficits in the cerebellum have been shown to be a factor in learning difficulties including dyslexia and autism. It has been suggested that the process of making skills automatic is delayed in individuals who have learning difficulties such as dyslexia. The cerebellum also contain vast numbers of connections to the cerebrum or thinking brain and there is significant research to suggest that it is responsible for integrating sensory information which allows effective learning to take place (www.dore.org).

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