Neurodidactics

The importance of awakening a love of learning

Neurodidactics, neuroeducation or neuroscience is a discipline that examines the role of the  brain in teaching and learning in order to improve and optimise these processes. It involves applying this knowledge in the classroom so teachers understand what works and why it is effective. Each person has a unique brain and learning pace. Understanding the brain’s maturation process is of utmost importance when designing effective teaching and learning strategies that respect the different stages of development.

Knowledge is better absorbed by the brain when learning sparks surprise, curiosity and an emotional connection. We should offer learning challenges and experiences that are entirely new to our students.

Colegio San Cristóbal’s Neurodidactics or Neuroeducation Project is based on creating a balanced and motivating learning environment that fosters effective teaching through active and social methodologies such as cooperative learning, gamification, thinking-based learning (TBL), and project-based learning (PBL)...which encourage students to actively engage with their physical, social and emotional environment.

Plasticity
The brain is malleable; it reorganises itself, continuously adapting to learning. Intelligence is not fixed; we have the capacity to learn and grow throughout our lives.


Emotion
Emotions are at the heart of all learning processes and play a crucial role in memory consolidation. Brain activity increases considerably when we get excited.


Memory
Memory and learning are closely interconnected processes. Neural learning happens through repetition, while the brain thrives on the varied and creative use of resources.


Cooperation
Cooperation makes us feel good; working together fosters positive relationships and improves learning capacity. Manging the relationships between groups is of utmost importance.


Creativity
It is the capacity to come up with new ideas and connect them with existing concepts, enabling us to come up with innovative solutions to problems.


Attention
It is a limited resource that is not triggered by “forcing” it. It is essential to structure the content and activities in a way that sparks curiosity.


Nutrition, Sleep and Physical Education
These are three fundamental aspects for learning. A healthy diet supplies the nutrients essential for optimal brain function, physical exercise enhances its performance, while sleep is crucial for neuron regeneration.


Play
Children naturally and instinctively engage in play, and this intrinsic motivation can be harnessed to enhance the learning process.

In this video Josep Arregui Dalmases, trainer and collaborator at Colegio San Cristóbal, talks to us about Neuroeducation.

He holds a degree in Psychology and a Master’s in Emotional Intelligence, serves as president of the University of Barcelona’s Emotional Intelligence Club, and works as a consultant specialising in educational innovation, active methodologies and emotional intelligence. He is also a postgraduate professor of Emotional Intelligence.