1.2 Left and right brain characteristics

Revell and Norman say that logic is a characteristic of the left hemisphere of the brain and imagination is a characteristic of the right hemisphere.

Look at eight more characteristics of the brain and match them to the correct hemisphere in the Left and right brain characteristics exercise.

Then check your ideas and read more about the brain in the Left and right brain characteristics resource.

1.2 Left and right brain characteristics

Match the characteristics with either the left or the right brain.

logical	Drag answer here
analytical	Drag answer here
auditory	Drag answer here
rhythm	Drag answer here
language	Drag answer here
visual	Drag answer here
sequential	Drag answer here
non-verbal	Drag answer here

• right brain characteristics

• left brain characteristics

1.2 Left and right brain characteristics

Look at the left and right brain characteristics in the table below. Can you see a pattern?

Left brain characteristics	Right brain characteristics
objective	feelings
mathematical	taste
linear	non-verbal
lists	visual
realistic	memory
categories	music
language	unconscious
sequential	holistic
analytical	movement
forgetfulness	creative
logical	rhythm
verbal	colour
rational	dimensions
detail	subjective
aware	auditory
	touch
	smell

Look at the type of tasks performed by the right brain and then think back to the type of things that learners do that teachers do not want them to do. Do you notice any links?

Basically, when the left brain gets tired, it is the right brain that takes over. As a result, young learners start daydreaming, moving about in their chairs and looking out of the window.

So, what’s the function of the right hemisphere, apart from causing disruption in the class? Well, it also has memory and that is important in learning. Remember, we need the left hemisphere to learn language, but we need the right hemisphere to make learning more effective!

Though of course we all have two hemispheres, some people are left-brain dominant and others are right-brain dominant. In most Western cultures, education tends to favour the left brain more than the right brain.

In other words, Western educational practices place greater emphasis on rational thinking, the ability to express oneself verbally and read well. Is this the same where you work?

1.3 Discussion

Are you more right- or left-brain dominant? Which senses do you think you learn with the most? Have you ever had a student who was extremely visual, auditory or kinaesthetic?

Do you actually agree with these theories?

Now share your thoughts in the Learning styles: where do you stand? discussion in the Forum.

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