Ask Dr. Judy: Strengthening the Brain s Executive Functions: The Real Higher Order Processing Dr. Judy Willis April 13, 2011 The Prefrontal Cortex Is where those skillset can develop, with your help
Prefrontal Cortex Reactive Involuntary Brain for Survival The CEO in residence is the Executive Function System PREFRONTAL CORTEX The Prefrontal Cortex Multiple Functions Emotional management Long-term memory Executive function
Poll Question: Select a list you think most applies to dog characteristics and which to cat characteristics List List A B Planning ahead Delay immediate gratification Risk assessment Judgment Tolerance Empathy Adaptable Agility Grooming Mood shifts Prefrontal Cortex Percent of Brain Volume Cat 3% Dog 10% Human 20% Executive Functions Directed by PFC Cat 3% Dog 10% Plan ahead Delay immediate gratification Risk assessment Judgment Tolerance Empathy Adaptable Comprehend new tricks Agility Grooming Mood shifts
Executive Functions are the Skillsets for 21 st Century Success Listener Poll Which one or two skillsets do you think will be most critical for 21 st Century Success? Executive Functions are the Skillsets for 21 st Century Success Analyze (Plan ahead) Prioritize Considered decision making Delay of immediate gratification Goal planning Risk assessment Judgment Tolerance Empathy Adaptability Organize Comprehend new tricks REMEMBER The Dog
Prefrontal Cortex Prefrontal Cortex Pruning and myelination thinning Cortex from age 5-25 Pruning and myelination from age 5-25
Neuroimaging correlates executive function use with PFC activity Abstraction, reasoning, deduction, critical analysis, considered decision making, goal planning, prioritizing, judgment, tolerance, empathy, & consideration of alternative perspectives Meta-analysis of 20 neuroimaging studies of cognition. (Duncan, 2001). Rote memorization and working memory do not have the capacity to keep pace with the exponential information growth Long-term & conceptual memory storage are limitless Opportunity Strengthen PFC networks during the school years when they are undergoing their most rapid, extensive changes Incorporating Use of Executive Functions in Learning
Neuroplasticity Promote students brains neuroplasticity to strengthen developing executive function neural networks Neuroplasticity is the brain s response to activity through a neural circuit Children need to use PFC Executive Functions during their most active development because PRACTICE MAKE PERMANENT Prefrontal cortex Executive Function Exercise: Activate developing Axon with myelin networks Dendrite during their growth spurt Neuron Synapse
PFC Development Myelin wrapped around axon Myelin thickening increases with activation Thicker myelin = faster processing Faster PFC processing correlates with intellectual performance Ming-Chang Chiang, M. et al.2009. Genetics of Brain Fiber Architecture and Intellectual Performance. Journal of Neuroscience, 29 (7): 2212 With few connections traffic flow is inefficient & slow More efficient flow of brain traffic when with more connections
Executive Functions Planned into Units Opportunities to build flexible perspectives: Encourage prediction and revise of opinions Communicate & collaborate: Group projects Build skillset of interpreting and applying new future information: Incorporate choice and open-ended tasks Executive Function Building Activities Discuss fact versus opinion: TV commercials, internet sites Evaluate opinions on topics of interest or current events: twitterfall.com (create class list of what makes a good source to follow) Multiple ways to solve problems in math learning by using it in a different context personally meaningful & authentic
Transfer Activities to Build Executive Functions Analysis & Decision-making Reasoning Estimation and Prediction Planning how best to teach or communicate the information Prioritizing Goal planning and monitoring Self-assessment & revision Executive Function Building Activities Discussion and debate: Support opinions with reasons Take opposite viewpoint Brochures from airports and hotels about THE BEST.. In the City Develop solutions to a school or community problem. Present to a real audience. Use technology (survey monkey, twitterpoll) Extended neural networks represent the construction of information connected as concepts
What happens when students can use executive functions and conceptual neural networks to transfer knowledge and create something new?
Summary Executive function correlates with PFC Activity PFC network activation increases the neural networks by neuroplasticity it The PFC undergoes these changes most profoundly during the school years which means, WEBSITE For Brain Owner s Manuals and more links Judy Willis www.radteach.com
NEXT ASK Dr. Judy: ASCD Webinar How can I help my students remember what I teach? August 10, 2011 3:00 p.m. ET