Right Brain vs Left Brain

An important factor to understanding learning styles is understanding brain functioning.

Both sides of the brain can reason, but by different strategies, and one side may be dominant over the other.

What does this mean?

Left brain individuals process information in a linear manner.

They take pieces to the puzzle, line them up, and arrange them in logical order. From this drawing their conclusion to the puzzle.

Left brain persons are list makers. They enjoy making a master schedule and doing daily planning.

Left Brain- Is this you?

People of left brain are usually good spellers because spelling involves sequence.

Left brains also work in the linear and sequential processing of math and following directions.

They have no trouble processing symbols, memorizing vocabulary words and math formulas

Left Brain- Is this you?

Left Brain

Rational Respond to verbal instructions Controlled, systematic experiments Problem solves logically and sequentially

looking at the parts of things Makes objective judgments Looks at differences Is planned and structured Prefers established, certain information.

Characteristics of being left brain!

Analytic reader Primary reliance on language in thinking and

remembering Prefers talking and writing Prefers multiple choice test Controls feelings Prefers hierarchical authority structures Talks, and talks, and talks Sees cause and effect Draws on previously accumulated, organized

information

Characteristics of being left brain!

Left Brain

While left brain people think in logical order, right brain process from a whole to a part, holistically.

Right brain have difficulty in following a lecture unless they are given the big picture first.

It is important for a right brained person to read a chapter prior to lecture to better understand what is being discussed.

Right Brain- Is this you?

The approach of a right brained person is random.

Because of the random nature of a right brain, they should make list and schedules to help them stay on track.

Right brain people are color sensitive. Try using colors to establish sequences.

Right brain- Is this you?

Right Brain

Right brain people are concrete. They want to see, feel, or touch the real

object. Right brain individuals may have trouble

learning to read using phonics. They prefer to see words in context and to

see how formulas work. Create opportunities for hands on activities

to use your right brain.

Right Brain

When processing being a right brain, they use intuition.

They may know the right answer to a problem, but are not sure how they got it.

On a quiz, they have a gut feeling as to which answers are correct, and they are usually right.

The right side of the brain pays attention to coherence and meaning, tells you if it “feels” right.

Right Brain

Intuitive Responds to demonstrated instructions Open-ended, random experiments Problem solves with hunches, looking for

patterns Makes subjective judgments Looks at similarities Is fluid and spontaneous Prefers elusive, uncertain information

Characteristics of Right Brain