Throughout this topic, you have been encouraged to reflect on the significance of neuroscience in education. The evidence is accumulating to suggest that: the brain is not fixed and separable into functional components; children rarely fit neatly under ‘labels’; neural connections are constantly transforming.
In essence, the brain is a highly unique, complex interaction of neural networks that are visible as individual children in the classroom. The implications of neuroscience for education are that as the next generation of teachers, you will need to be information and knowledge interpreters and translators; this means having flexible tools. Neuroscientists need to work with schools. Schools need to have the evidence for actions and intervention but in a format they can use effectively.
Additional materials
Books and articles
Johnson, S., Wolke, D., Hennessy, E., Smith, R., Trikic, R. and Marlow, N. (2009). Academic attainment and special educational needs in extremely preterm children at 11 years of age: the EPICure Study. Archives of Disease in Childhood. ISSN 0003-9888
Other publications: EPICure publications
Kirby, A., Woodward, S., Jackson, Y., Wang, M. A. and Crawford. (2010). A double-blind, placebo-controlled study investigating the effects of omega-3 supplementation in children aged 8–10 years from a mainstream school population. Research in Developmental Disabilities; 718–730
Liu, J., Raine, A., Venables, P. H. and Mendnick, S. A. (2004). Malnutrition at age 3 years and externalising behaviour problems at ages 8, 11, and 17 years. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 161(11); 2005–13
Gesch, G. B., Hammond, S. M., Hampson, S. E., Eves, A., and Crowder, M. J. (2002). Influence of supplementary vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids on the antisocial behaviour of young adult prisoners. Randomised, placebo-controlled trial. British Journal of Psychiatry, 181; 22–8
Benton, D. and ILSI Europe a.i.s.b.l. (2008). The influence of children’s diet on their cognition and behaviour. European Journal of Nutrition, 47; 25–27
Website resources
Foetal Alcohol Syndrome information
FAS Aware UK
Provincial Outreach Program - Learning Resources
Patient.co.uk - Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
What are amphetamines?
Xalex - What are amphetamines?
Facts on prematurity
Patient - Premature babies and their problems
Changing diets
Daily Mail - Omega 3 'significantly' improves behaviour of hyperactive children
New findings about genes
Wellcome Trust - Study finds first genetic link to ADHD
Epigenetics
Epigenetics - Supplemental Materials
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