Principles of Brain-Based Education

By Eric Jensen

Below, you will find the some of principles of brain-based teaching that Eric Jensen views as most important. Another person might come up with alternative or additional principles and still be correct. However, these each of these principles do have solid scientific, research-based support.

What is Brain-Based Education?

Brain-based education is the purposeful engagement of strategies based on neuroscience.

Brain-based education is the application of a meaningful group of principles that represent our understanding of how our brain works in the context of education.

Brain-based education is not a panacea or magic bullet to solve all of education’s problems. Anyone who represents that to others is misleading them. There is not yet a “one size fits all” brain-based program, model or package for schools to follow.

What Does a Brain-Based Teacher do?

A brain compatible teacher is one that understands the principles and uses strategies in a purposeful way. It is an educator who understands the reasoning behind their teaching. It is also one who stays constantly updated through continuous professional development.

Example of Brain-Based Learning

Evidence suggests that stress is a significant factor in creativity, memory, behavior and learning. Teachers who purposely manage stress factors (purposefully decrease or increase stress) in class are likely to experience a positive classroom environment. There are many ways to decrease stress in the classroom, such as integrating stretching exercises, incorporating recess, teaching coping skills, and utilizing physical education.