A brain-based approach to learning is an educational method that considers neuroscience principles and how the brain learns best. It is grounded in the understanding that the brain is a highly complex organ with specific cognitive processes and functions, and by aligning teaching strategies with these processes, learning can be more effective and efficient.
Most parents are familiar with academic teaching, subject instruction, or tutoring. BrainFit® adopts a brain-based approach for all its classes, utilising a unique methodology that raises academic performance through the strengthening of core cognitive processes.
Learn more about how neuroscience in education is applied.
Cognitive Training vs Academic Teaching
To better understand the differences between cognitive training and academic teaching, we have compiled a list of differences in the various aspects of objective, content, application, assessment, and long-term goals between the two.
Differences between Cognitive Training and Academic Training
Objective
- Cognitive Training: The primary objective of cognitive training is to improve cognitive skills and thinking processes, such as memory, attention, analytical skills, and reasoning. The focus is on enhancing a person’s overall cognitive abilities to improve learning, critical thinking, and problem-solving.
- Academic Teaching: Academic teaching focuses on delivering key subject-specific content and knowledge in subjects like languages, mathematics, science, etc.
Content
- Cognitive Training: The content of cognitive training programmes consists of exercises and thinking activities designed to target specific cognitive skills. These may include targeted physical exercises, memory exercises, attention-building activities, or tasks that work on specific thinking skills (eg. cause-and-effect thinking exercises help a child answer science questions involving experiments).
- Academic Teaching: Prioritises the delivery of subject-specific content, facts, theories, and concepts within academic disciplines.
Application
- Cognitive Training: The skills acquired through cognitive training can be applied broadly across various contexts, including academics, work, daily life, and problem-solving in general.
- Academic Teaching: The knowledge and skills gained through academic teaching are primarily applied within the specific academic discipline or field of study.
Assessment
- Cognitive Training: Assessment in cognitive training often involves measuring cognitive skill levels through standardised tests designed for specific cognitive domains.
- Academic Teaching: Assessment in academic teaching usually involves evaluating students’ knowledge and understanding of subject-specific content through tests and examinations.
Long-Term Goals
- Cognitive Training: The long-term goal is to enhance an individual’s cognitive abilities, which can positively impact many aspects of life, including communication, social skills, problem-solving and academic performance.
- Academic Teaching: The long-term goal is to provide students with a solid foundation in specific academic subjects and help them to achieve academically.
In summary, cognitive training focuses on improving cognitive skills and thinking processes, while academic teaching centers on imparting subject-specific content and knowledge. While these two approaches can complement each other, they serve distinct purposes within the broader realm of education and skill development.
BrainFit® adopts a cognitive approach that helps children excel in academics by improving their brain performance, thinking skills, and abilities to use effective learning techniques that can supercharge their study process. The programme utilises neuroscience in education.
Who Can Benefit?
Students across different age groups and with varying learning abilities can all benefit from a brain-based learning approach.
High-achieving students
Students already performing well in school can benefit from learning how their brains work and how to optimise their learning processes. With more efficient learning strategies, students can learn to study “smarter,” using techniques that facilitate information organisation and aid long-term memory retention without committing more study hours. With each study hour being more impactful, students have more time to pursue their personal interests and achieve more balance and satisfaction in life.
Students with average results
Students with average academic results can boost their learning and performance by accelerating their cognitive and thinking skills, the brain foundations supporting learning. With stronger attention stamina, working memory, processing speed, and multiple thinking pathways, students can elevate their learning abilities, helping them to comprehend faster, remember more, and think deeper, leading to greater academic achievement.
Students with learning difficulties
Students struggling academically typically need a more tailored approach based on their unique cognitive profiles. By intensively remediating weak cognitive skills and exploiting cognitive strengths, gaps in learning abilities can be reduced, helping the student to experience more substantial learning success. A brain-based learning approach is personalised to the individual and, hence, can be highly beneficial to struggling learners.
In essence, a brain-based approach to learning is highly adaptable and can be beneficial to a broad spectrum of students who are seeking to enhance their cognitive abilities and improve their learning outcomes. It recognises the fundamental role of the brain in the learning process and seeks to optimise learning experiences accordingly.
Want to get started and have your own tailored-fit BrainFit programme? Take the BrainFit Cognitive MAP assessment here. You may also check out our programmes here.
References
- Studying 101: Study Smarter Not Harder; https://learningcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/studying-101-study-smarter-not-harder/, Accessed February 15, 2024
- The Development of Academic Achievement and Cognitive Abilities: A Bidirectional Perspective; https://srcd.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/cdep.12352; Accessed February 15, 2024
- Five principles for supporting struggling learners; https://www.teachermagazine.com/au_en/articles/five-principles-for-supporting-struggling-learners Accessed February 15, 2024