Making Connections: Teaching and the Human Brain

.I like this book. It calls for developing "Low Threat/High Challenge Learning" that works with the human brain's way of processing information."Making Connections" was first published by educators Renate and Geoffrey Caine to begin establishing a link between the neurosciences and education. The Caines were interested in "the brain's rules for meaningful learning and organizing teaching with those rules in mind." [pg 4]As one of the earliest books to come out on the topic [1991], this book espoused then-controversial new ideas. Several early book reviewers complained that it was written by educators, not by brain surgeons. As the years passed, the theories put forth in the Caines's book have proven to be tried and true teaching strategies.A more recent book by a neuroscientist, "Research-based Srategies to Ignite Student Learning" by Judy Willis (2006) is a more scientific rendering of brain-based learning that essentially says the same thing."Why Don't Students Like School" by cognitive scientist Daniel T. Willingham, published in 2009 by Jossey-Bass, also confirms these studies.This one is good. Apply the skills put forth in any or all of these books and your students will thrive.Kim BurdickStanton, DE

Every teacher owes it to their students to read this book and make it part of their repetoire. The authors have gathered meaningful information and put it in language that every educator can understand. The challenge is to change our anti-brain methods in schools and to re-invent education NOW! The information fits educational work with every age. If nothing else is learned, the "DOWNSHIFTING" that the brain does when in the presence of threat should cause us to re-examine our motivational methods used with young and adolescent students.

This book was very informative. It met all of my expectations. I really learned a lot.

Perfect transaction quality item.

Before reading this book I thought I understood how teaching was suppose to be after all I did get my credential and a degree. I learned more from this book then from all two years in the credential program. This book along with all the other books from the Caine's have give me a reason to obtain my Ph.D. If you want to truly understand how the brain truly learned then this is the book for you.

I wanted to follow up on this topic after hearing Eric Jensen speak at a workshop. This title seemed interesting and follows a similar path.

My wife went to college and bought this book for school and she has learned a lot from it now I am going to read it.

Making Connections by Caine and Caine is one of the best books ever written on the human brain and learning. Bravo!

Although a 1994 publication. Great book and extremely thought provoking.