Early deprivation causes serious disruption in the development of brain architecture and in the behaviors related to the affected brain functions. Some brain structures, and the broad categories of development that depend on them, show more "plasticity," or sensitivity to disruption and intervention for longer periods of time, than…

A study investigated how Accelerated Learning (AL), a teaching methodology that purports to increase the quantity and improve the quality of learning, affected tertiary students' knowledge of and skills in writing and their feelings towards writing. AL has its origins in G. Lozanov's "suggestopedia." Believing that formal teaching…

To further the understanding of how the brain operates at the most basic level of interest to human communication theorists, intrapersonal communication, this paper reviews the arguments against the hemispheric dominance theory and for a neurological processing style model of brain functions and then focuses on the impact of the corpus callosum (a…

For many years dyslexia has been incorrectly applied to those who have demonstrated difficulty in learning to read. Given the proper guidance and opportunities for becoming sensitive to demonstrations of the workings of language and engaging their minds in learning, many students will overcome their so-called learning disabilities. However, there…

Outlines Epstein's theory of age-related brain growth spurts (phrenoblysis) and suggests ways that art educators might optimize learning during the growth spurt years and the intervening plateaus. (SJL)

Medical research during the last 20 years, especially that attempting to help patients with diseased or damaged brains, has produced new findings on hemispheric differences, memory, and language production. Four authorities comment briefly on the implications of this research for education. (Author/MLF)

The author describes the functions of the two hemispheres of the brain and suggests that educators must learn more about the human brain and set up learning environments where its traits in all individuals may be identified, nurtured, and refined. (KC)

Introduces this special journal issue re-examining the contributions of Myrtle McGraw to developmental psychology in order to clarify misinterpretations of her work and to highlight dimensions that constitute promising lines of inquiry for contemporary researchers. Maintains that McGraw failed to receive credit for her alternative to…

Discusses how McGraw's work broached the notion of a reciprocal relationship between structural maturation and function, thus anticipating the current understanding of the role of experience in the cortical and motor maturation of infants in the first year of postnatal life. Also presents her clear formulation of a flexible critical period concept…

Reexamines McGraw's research and theoretical principles on early neuromotor development, focusing on unaided walking. Notes that contemporary research supports and clarifies her observations providing greater detail about factors involved in the formation of higher-order control, and amplifying the role of experience. Discusses possible mechanisms…

Maintains that McGraw conducted a more complex analysis of neurobehavior than acknowledged by those characterizing her position as maturationist; that she advanced a unique analysis of brain development and consciousness, singling out the reciprocal relationship between neural growth processes and early experience; and that her studies of the role…

Stephen Krashen's L2 (Second Language) Acquisition/Learning Theory and Georgi Lozanov's method of teaching through suggestion are compared in both their underlying theories and classroom applications. The seven component hypotheses of Krashen's theory and their neurological implications are analyzed for their agreement or disagreement with the…

Implications of three basic facts about very young infants are delineated in this summary. Normally, human infants are capable of a wide range of functions, such as "appetitive responses" (e.g., the rooting reflex) and defensive maneuvers. They experience pleasure and feel pain. Additionally, they undergo a transition from subcortical to…

Argues that, despite nearly three decades of research into cognitive processes that has yielded a great deal of information about how humans learn, little of this research has found its way into classroom application. Suggests ways that a holistic approach to education can improve student cognitive performance. (FL)

Giftedness is a multi-dimensional phenomenon, and assessment should be concerned with the kinds of giftedness an individual exhibits. The Structure of Intellect (SOI) tests allow the identification of academic and creative giftedness. The SOI theory can also be used in partnership with brain research to provide a theory-based test of brain…