Human brain forms a small but very important part of human beings. It practically controls every action that human beings perform. Consciously or subconsciously all other body organs depend on the brain to behave in any particular way. The brain is, therefore, a very crucial organ, and if anything happens to it, the whole body will come to a stop.
Notably, the brain is divided into two hemispheres, each of which has distinct roles. Nonetheless, it is very difficult sometimes to differentiate between the functions of the two parts. However, it is important to note that each part of the brain is responsible for certain specific roles, and this, to a certain extent influence learning.
Arguably, assignments and various functions are balanced between the two parts of the brain to ensure full output. The two parts of the brain are known to work in close connection, thus making them almost similar. However, functions executed by each part are somewhat different. To begin with, the right part of the brain handles spontaneous, subjective, and holistic thinking (Oflaz, 2011).
This means that the right part of the brain is bound to be random in thinking. On the other hand, the left part of the brain carries out thinking in a logical, coherent, and objective way. Therefore, human beings are either biased towards subjectivity or objectivity, depending on the part of the brain that is dominant.
The right hemisphere is known for the random manner in which it executes its duties. It will be doing very many assignments at the same time without any form of arrangement. The right brain begins with any task but can move to the next without necessarily completing the first one (Gibson 2002). In the end, it performs a huge number of tasks but not necessarily the most important ones.
On the contrary, the left brain approaches its tasks in a systematic way (Erlauer, 2003). It always has a timetable of the duties to be accomplished, beginning with the most important ones. Consequently, it completes its tasks it their order of preference and does so effectively.
On the same note, the left hemisphere works well with symbols. As a result, letters and words do not become a problem for it. It prefers distinctions between events and characters. Therefore, working with mathematical notations is not a problem for the left brain. This part of the brain is also very good at recalling and is usually tasked with the role of recovering information whenever required. Wolfe (2010) found in his study that repetitive learning and thinking processes are based on the left part of the brain.
The right hemisphere, on the other hand, works well with touchable materials and things that can be felt (Wolfe, 2010). This hemisphere enjoys words that form a sentence and prefers calculated mathematical examples to the notations. Linking one event to another is the way this part of the brain works, and therefore connectedness of issues is paramount to it.
This brings about the difference we see in human beings (Blakemore & Frith, 2005). While there are children who read once and understand issues, others have to see pictures for them to remember well what they have learned. On the same note, children who rely more on the left hemisphere of the brain can easily be given formula and then do a calculation. However, this does not manifest itself so much on adults because most of them try to understand themselves and take measures to overcome any shortfall.
The left hemisphere does not stop until all decisions have proof. In other words, it uses logic to come up with any decision. It plans and structures any problem so as to apply concrete and credible information. As a result, this part of the brain prefers multiple-choice tests because then it can be able to come up with an answer logically. Not only does the left hemisphere look at the causes of any problem, but also at the effects of the same (Oflaz, 2011).
According to Erlauer (2003), logical intelligence is related to the left hemisphere. However, the right part of the brain is always guided by emotions in any problem-solving situation. It does not take into consideration what information is available but rather does what it feels is the right thing to do.
On the same note, the right part of the brain does not like giving straight forward answers on any issue (Gibson 2002). As a result, it prefers open-ended questions which give room for discussion. In this regard, while the left part of the brain likes talking and writing, the right hemisphere likes drawings because they have room for manipulation. Consequently, understanding the dominant part of the brain is crucial in knowing which learning styles can be used.
Arguably, the left part of the brain has no problems using words for expression. People who tend to rely more on the left side of the brain are good communicators and can make good orators. Studies carried out show that linguistic intelligence is a role of the left hemisphere (Oflaz, 2011). On the contrary, the right hemisphere of the brain has a lot of difficulty explaining issues.
Even when the picture is clear to this part of the brain about what should be said; getting the correct words to use is a problem. In this regard, people who use the right hemisphere get emotional easily when explaining themselves (Wolfe, 2010). Taking them slowly in class is paramount since they are likely to make notes of everything they learn.
Additionally, left dominated people are likely to be obedient to the rule in place in any scenario. They do not want to be on the wrong at any given instance. As a result, they will try and know every detail regarding the laws that are present wherever they are (Gibson 2002). Due to their fear of breaking the rules, these people will always set their own rules and follow them whenever there are no rules in place (Blakemore & Frith, 2005). On the contrary, the right part of the brain is driven by imagination and emotions. As a result, people whose right part of the brain dominates, learn well by attaching emotions to various aspects. When they have no emotional attachment to something, it becomes difficult for them to remember it. Nonetheless, the theory has it that people will always try to balance between the right and the left part of the brain, and to get extreme cases is a myth.
Much as we have pointed out the various differences that exist between the two hemispheres of the brain, it should be noted that they have various similarities. Notably, both parts of the brain execute their functions with a high degree of interdependency. Information is transmitted equally between the two hemispheres of the brain (Wolfe, 2010).
As a matter of fact, it has been proved that people whose one part of the brain has been removed due to sickness usually recover and carry out their daily chores effectively. The idea that the dominant part of the brain will determine the behavior of a child is a myth. As one grows up, he or she learns to balance between the left and the right part of the brain. Nonetheless, it is important for a teacher to understand the part of the brain that is dominant for each student in order to be able to teach them effectively.
References
Blakemore, S., & Frith, U. (2005). The Learning Brain: Lessons for Education: A Precis. Developmental Science, 8(6), 459-465.
Erlauer, L. (2003). The Brain-Compatible Classroom: Using What We Know About Learning to Improve Teaching. Alexandria: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.
Gibson, K. M. (2002). Learning Styles and Hemispheric Dominance-Right or Left Brain: Which is Dominant in Your Family? Home Education Learning Magazine. Web.
Oflaz, M. (2011). Effect of the Right and Left Brain Dominance in Language Learning. Procedia-Social and behavioral Sciences, 15, 1507-1513.
Wolfe, P. (2010). Brain Matters: Translating Research into Classroom Practice. Alexandria: ASCD.