In 1976, Julian Jaynes coined the term “bicameral mind” in his eponymous book The Origin of Consciousness in
the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind. According to this
model, the brain is divided into two rooms—“bi” meaning ‘two,’ and “camera”
meaning ‘room.’ (We call our cameras “cameras”
because the first camera was a large room, much reduced now to the thin room
which is an iPhone connected to the doorless room which is the digital ether.) According
to this early research, the left brain was in charge of language and the right
of imagery. In his landmark, 2009 book, The
Master and His Emissary: The Divided Brain and the Making of the Wester World, author
Ian McGilchrist offers a much refined theory, informed by extensive research
since 1976, to show that both sides of the brain coordinate in the creation of
experience. With that proviso, we can
consider how the predominant aspects of our divided brains function in the learning
process.
In general, someone who functions predominantly from the
left brain, as illustrated above, tends to construct experience as
Linear—one
thing following the other in order
Analytical and Mental
Product oriented
Closed
Staid
Closed
Staid
Digital—favoring
polar binary opposites, as, for example right or wrong, good or bad.
Numerical—clear,
quantifiable order, favoring monetary and business systems
Conventional—according
to tradition and popularly accepted values
Rule-bound
and Prescriptive
Proscriptive—experience
and action outside the parameter of accepted rules prohibited
Limiting—at
best, the left brain can work four things in consciousness at a time
Rigid
and strict
Dividing
and Selective
External
Exclusive
“No”
Denotative—words
mean discretely, without nuance
Ego
and Superego—a will to power
Conscious
Prose
Boxed in
Guarantees
Fear based and inspired
Fear based and inspired
We cannot live socially or in civilized cultures
without these functions. Some of the
benefits of the Left Brain include a sense of security and constancy;
organization and focus; and social and familial foundations. The Left Brain identifies goals and marshals
them to completion. Language, itself, functions because of Left Brain
tendencies.
The problem comes when it presumes to take control of
all the brains functions. McGilchrist
argues that, historically, the Left Brain was the emissary from the larger, the
contrasting functions of the Right Brain, whose qualities include these:
Global
Contextual
Intuitive and epiphanic
Body and image based
Process oriented
Open
Fluid
Open
Fluid
Analog—favoring paradox and interweaving
Experimental and creative
Evolutionary and revolutionary
Descriptive
Expansive
Patient and flexible
Coordinating
Internal
Inclusive
“Yes”
Connotative
Id
Subconscious incubation
Dreams
Poetry
Out of the box
Possibility
Love based and inspired
Love based and inspired
The Right
Brain is the repository of all of our history as a species—spatially and
temporally. It connects us in what sometimes
feels magical ways. It offers us insight, joy, warning, possibility.
Here’s an example of the difference
between Left-Braining and Right-Braining.
I am an international folkdancer.
Every Wednesday night and on long vacations devoted to this art, we get
together—women and men ranging in age from 20 to 100, and sometimes with
children, to join hands and enjoy the dances from countries around the world
and through time, to music that can be soft and prayerlike, or bawdy and
rollicking. After almost 40 years, I
know most of the old dances and need only to hear the first few notes and my body
knows the rest. But there is always a
leader, whom the rest of us watch. If I
were to put on the music at home, I would know neither the name of the dance
nor which step comes next. That’s
because I have mostly Right-Brained these dances. And, although I am known for being a “good
dancer,” expressive, joyful, knowing how to style—and seem to know all the steps—I
don’t.
On the other hand, I have learned
dances to teach others, and these I analyze into their component parts,
memorize them, practice them, make and correct my mistakes while replaying
videos. I, in other words, take a
Left-Brain approach, to “get it right,” correct others. We have some master teachers in our folkdance
group, who always know the steps, and whom the rest of us use as guides. Too often, though, they devolve into a
Left-Brainy make-wrong mode—conventionalizing, criticizing, scolding. What makes
my teaching different from that of most other folkdance teachers, is that I
also incorporate images in my teaching: “make believe you’re the Statue of Liberty,
raising one hand and tucking in the other”; “make believe you are moving
through water.” This helps others to be
expressive, joyful, stylized. And I don’t
scold.
For me, when I’m at my best, this is
an example of optimal coordination between the Left and Right brain. Unfortunately, as Gilchrist argues so cogently
in his book, the Left Brain functions have usurped control to assert the will
to power.
In politics, Left Brain leaders manipulate the voting
public and constituencies with fear and rigid values. The traditional classroom,
too, favors a Left Brain model. The posts on this blog serve as reminders that
we are far larger and have greater capacities than the Left Brain would allow,
by itself. We invite the Right Brain
into the mix, and favor
Imagery over plot
Experimentation over right/wrong
Community over leaders
Creativity over tests
Original over linear thinking
Learning over grades
Rainbow over black/white
Shapes over straight lines
Possibility over boredom
Spilling over the edges, like the picture above
Poetry over all
And more…
How are your learning experiences structured? Is
there a generative balance of Left Brain/Right Brain in your classroom and in
your learning process?
Works Cited:
Cover Art: Left Brain/ Right Brain Image
Text:
Jaynes, Julian. The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind.
Boston: Mariner Books, 2000.
McGilchrist, Ian.The Master and His Emissary: The Divided Brain and the Making of the Western
World, New Haven: Yale UP, 2009.
At its beginning, my learning process tends to lean towards the left brain perspective, which doesn’t always work for me. When I’ve gone too far into this mental place, the learning experience can become stressful. Looking at things in a linear way has negative association, reminiscent of scolds for not “getting it right”. Maybe this is why I second-guess myself and make silly mistakes when I lean too much on the left side. Then my confidence goes out the window, then I throw my hands up and say “ I can't do this. I’m not going to keep trying.” Yet when I learn with some of the right side in the mix, I find myself breaking up the task into small parts, putting all my focus on the steps as individual entities before looking at the task as a whole. Visuals also play a main role in a successful learning experience. I rely heavily on images; even when I'm learning through reading my brain immediately starts to picture the information. Visualization along the way and the creation of associations makes for my most successful learning process, where I don't get discouraged. Finally, I'm not sure what side repetition falls on, but it is another essential component to how my brain learns. When I’ve fully mastered something, I can take the left side out of the equation and do it without thinking much. Repetition is the key in getting to that point. In my learning process, I ascend on the left, leading to a peak and descent to the right.
ReplyDeleteSeanette Martin
ReplyDeleteFebruary 10, 2019
Eng 4817
Prof Rich
Left Brain/Right Brain Blog 6
Reading this blog post makes me feel that I am more of a right brain type of person based on the description. Many of my professors are more of left brain people some of them seem so closed minded when it comes to assigning work. There tends to be no creativity just boring work and lectures. Like please spice up your class so I can stay away who wants to sit through almost three hours of a lecture when you’re just reading off the slides. Become creative and jazzy with it half of the time after I leave the class I have to go home and teach myself because it was just that boring. Even at my job the teacher I work with is such a left-brainer she’s far from creative and our preschoolers become so restless. When I step in my style of teaching is so much different I bring a creative side in when I sit in front of them in order to hold their attention.
If we are working on the alphabet I find a way to make it fun so that it’s something they want to do, I even bring in candy and cookies to make them want to try harder because they will be rewarded at the end. This semester I have two professors who are more right brainers because things don’t seem so black and white in their class it’s more yes than no. More chances to use my imagination and fewer boundaries. I actually look forward to attending these classes because I know they aren’t filled with boredom. Many educators really need to reevaluate or maybe even read this blog because it can bring a lot to their classroom so they can become a little jazzier with their teaching style. They need to step out the box no they need to jump out the box.
As a visual learner my learning process seems to lean towards the right room. Since childhood, I would always subconsciously require some sort of visual aid or kinesthetic exercise. Before learning a new task or activity, I would always need to see someone else perform it: thus modeling the behavior for myself. Seeing as to how Julian Jaynes described it, I now see how the right side, or room, of my brain is largely at play.I also rely heavily on images, charts, graphs and any time of visual aid like Arlene Borbon. For me learning something requires the initial demonstration, but after successfully performing it myself I can then master performing the task at optimum levels and speeds, using the left side of my brain. So then it is true that human brains are drastically different and complex. All in all, although I appreciate Julian Jaynes's description of the "rooms of our brains," the photo of the two sides could have sufficed.
ReplyDeleteThis was Robin Gill
ReplyDeleteENG-3215-01
All my life I see things black and white. There is no grey spots. To me the world is either one way or another. There is not an answer besides yes or no. When we go to a job we take it or we don’t. We believe in something fully or not at all. We live to die and die to live. We live everyday until we die. We don’t have any other choice. To me thats how I make and break situations. Do I see color itself yes, but in this world today our society, politics, and many more things in my opinion are black and white. I am a very Left Brain sided person. I am an extremely organized with everything having to be a certain way. I am a natural born leader. I believe in rules and structure. I am Left Brain person, but at the same time, I use the Right Brain in some aspects of my life. When I write I am a very creative person. I like to tell stories and add comedy/romance. I think outside the box on projects and expand my horizon when learning knowledge.
ReplyDeleteI believe the world is filled with people that think either Left or Right brain and thats not a bad thing. Everyone is different and thinks differently. No one should be looked at differently for their views or their opinions on a subject. My boyfriend and I disagree on many things, but I would never stop loving him or look at him in a bad view point because of his beliefs. I listen and understand others different view points and learn their knowledge, but still hold my own. I believe that Left/Right are two completely different aspects and its interesting to see who in this world is what kind of brain.
While reading about the two sides of the brain and which governs what, I would have to say I am closer to the right side than the left side. I think I always have been yet in certain areas I can see myself using aspects of the left. However, I am mostly right brain oriented. In looking back on how it was taught in school is slightly difficult for me because I came from different educational backgrounds. New York public & catholic schools instructed me in different ways compared to New Jersey Catholic schools especially in the 90s when I was in middle school. I think they stressed using the left part of the brain. Being able to use the right side recently is extremely freeing to me.
ReplyDeleteSean Smith
This blog provides great information and examples on explaining the left and right sides of the brain. After reading this blog, I have realized that I am more on the right side of the brain perspective. I have also learned that the qualities used to describe the left side of the brain, are not ones that relate to me. Rather, I am more of a creative, laid back, and descriptive kind of person, which are characteristics of someone who leans more towards the right side of the brain perspective.
ReplyDeleteI feel as if there is a balance between the left side of the brain and right side of the brain characteristics that have been used within my learning experiences. I say this because typically teachers are very creative. Creativity is a characteristic that comes from the right side of the bain. However, teachers can be very creative, but they can also be strict, rigid, and concise with those creative projects, which relates to characteristics on the left side of the brain. Typically, I have always had those “Strict and rigid” teachers/professors, because they want you to get your work done.
My favorite example on this blog was the one describing left braining and right braining done through folk dancing. I can easily relate to this, as I have been taking Zumba classes twice a week, for two years now. You would think that by now I would know all of the dance moves but I don’t at all. My eyes are constantly on the instructor, even if it is a part that I do remember. Looking at her for reassurance allows me to feel confident in my moves. This then makes me think I am a left brain person, although I relate more towards the characteristics of the right brain. This blog was definitely an interesting one, as I also discovered something new about which side of the brain I relate to more!
I wouldn't say I have a perfect balance or mix of both sides of my brain, but I do have a tendency to go from left brain to right and vice versa within the same thought. With my sense of humour, it really depends on the situation. I always go with what's funnier, logic or weird. If I have the time, I'd assess the different outcomes if I say one joke or another, which is a very left brain thing to do. But when I don't have the time, which is never, whatever comes out comes out. If I'm in a very straightforward, logical situation, and the opportunity for a joke comes, it'll always be an outlandish joke because I guess subconsciously, I know I'm in that type of situation, and the outlandish jokes are funnier within that context. If the situation I'm in is ridiculous, I'll either be sarcastic about it or say something funny that's logical and technically right just to bring everyone back down to Earth.
ReplyDeleteIn the context of learning, I think I'm a very versatile learner. Some things, I can learn by doing and figuring out on my own. Other things, I need someone to show me how to do it first so I don't accidentally kill myself. I can be a visual learner, and I need to read directions sometimes. In school growing up, I was always encouraged to be free-spirited and right brainy, but I was always taught in a very left brain way, which I guess is where my imbalance between the two came from. There are days where it's a constant argument within myself with both sides of my brain. But then there are days where I just don't think about it and go about my day. There's a performance by comedian Bo Burnham about both sides of the brain called "Left Brain, Right Brain" that I can relate to a lot.
-Joe San Agustin
ENG 3215-04
What really caught my attention is the ending of the post ,"The traditional classroom, too, favors a Left Brain model. The posts on this blog serve as reminders that we are far larger and have greater capacities than the Left Brain would allow, by itself. " I find that the traditional way for the classroom, or the Left Brain way is ineffective and is usually specific to only certain people. A perfect example for me is a project or a paper as opposed to a test. Once a test is presented in front of me, I entirely shut down. Everything I had learned in the classroom seems impossible to locate in my brain. However, if I am able to present on what I learned or write a paper about what I learned it leaves more room for my Right Brain having a larger opportunity to really expand on what I have learned and express myself. With my Left Brain and a test the question is listed and you have to select from a. b. c. or d. and they are seem similar but only one is the right answer and it's extremely overwhelming and boxed in as you previously mentioned the Left Brain can function that way. To conclude my thought, I would definitely take possibility over boredom any day. I find that with school especially it is very strict and not always open to new ways. It's better to be expressive than to suppress your ideas in fear of not giving a teacher the "answer" they are looking for. Considering I am in school to become a teacher I will make a point to have my classroom expressive, open and filled with possibilities.
ReplyDeleteKelly Fleschner
Kelly, I am the same exact way! Funny how minds think alike...did you get the pun?!
DeleteLeft Brain or Right Brain?
ReplyDeleteI’m am all about expressing creativity! When I think about Left brain and Right Brain learning processes, I think that I am Right Brain side. I can check off many of the Right Brain characteristics on Gilchrist lists’. But,I can identify with some Left Brained aspects as well.
In my writing, I express both Right Brained and Left Brained concepts. I see Right brained learning in my worldview and writing style. I’m descriptive and often look for ways to add more creativity to my writing, but within a construct; here’s the Left brain stuff. I insist on following certain writing principals and rules, little annoyances that sometime inhibit the creativity in my writing; paragraph structure, grammar points….
Anyway, I digress.
Gilchrists’ list helps me to identify the left/right brain characteristics in me and in others, but to confirm if this is true for me, I looked into DNA testing for Left/ Right Brain truthfulness. I found this website that will help determine/confirm my learning style. Plumeus.com sponsors a Left/Right Brain psyche test to determine Left or Right brain dominant traits. With the disclaimer, “Intended for personal growth,” the 24 questions I responded to determined that, “Both your (me) left and right hemisphere seemed to have reached a level of perfect harmony-rather than trying to dominate each other, they work together to create a unique and well-balanced “you” (me?)
Best news I received all week!
I think my learning style leans toward more Right brained learning, and I hope to tap into that side to help improve my writing; make it more creative. But, both learning styles are important for writing and becoming a better writer.
Finding a Balance..
Brandon Smith
ReplyDeleteI feel that my learning experience has been mostly left brained, especially while I was in the classroom. I was always told what I had to do by a teacher or professor throughout my years as a student. This goes especially for my earlier years of college at Union County College, where I was taught how to write college level essays. This probably had something to do with how I handle writing assignments presently and my habit of checking over my work numerous times despite the fact that the writing itself might be fine. I usually reserve my right brain for free writing and other activities I see as entertaining or fun. In this sense, the left brain is simply a tool I use to organize the thoughts and ideas of the right brain. Currently, there is more of a general balance between my left and right brain now that I am in senior seminar and playwriting than in the courses I am taking or have taken. This is probably due to the fact that I have more use for my right brain in a class that allows me to organize my thoughts anyway I want than in a class where I am told exactly how it should be organized. As such, the structure I learned in previous classes may not apply for this class in particular, especially when it comes to the reflective essay and the manuscript we will be working on throughout the semester.
Andrea Piaggio
ReplyDeleteI think that my learning experience has been, for the most part, right brained. I tend to be more fluid and open to new subjects and concepts. I also notice that I do tend to solve things internally as opposed to externally. I do a lot of brainstorming. This sometimes ends in me writing things down but it is ultimately internal thinking. As much as I feel that I am mostly right brained when it comes to my learning experiences, there are also a lot of instances in which my left brain has taken over. I am not very good with creativity and I do prefer logic and analytical/mental thinking. I like for things to have an order and a reason for being the way it is. Where I find myself being pulled is in the right vs wrong, black vs white. I do believe that there is a right and a wrong but I also think that there is an in between. It isn't always black and white for me and this comes through especially in English classes. When evaluating and analyzing poems or other works, it can't be black and white.
The school district where I work is in the process of adopting centers as a teaching method in all elementary classrooms. They simply work. Why do they work? It’s because center-based instruction uses all of the “Right Brain” ideas listed in Dr. Rich’s post. Students experience imagery when they use chromebooks that read books to them, highlighting each word as it goes, thus connecting the sound of the word with the image of the word. Students experience experimentation when they are given blocks and math problems. Students are taught community when they learn that they cannot go to whatever center they want first, they need to wait their turn. Students experience creativity when they draw their spelling words in a tray full of sand instead of writing it on a piece of paper. Students experience original thinking when they solve puzzles, either on the table, the floor, or on the computers. Students learn to value learning over grades when they perform as a team. Students value rainbow over black and white when they walk into a classroom full of color. Students value shapes over straight lines when they are given the opportunity to complete cut-and-paste activities instead of simply writing on a worksheet. Students experience possibility over boredom when they are allowed to get up and move in the classroom, instead of confined to their seats for hours on end. Lastly, and my favorite of all, students experience spilling over the edges when they are allowed and even encouraged to make mistakes and figure out how to find the answers to their problems all on their own.
ReplyDelete~ Sara Faulkner
ReplyDeleteAfter learning about both sides of the brain, I see my self going back and forth between the left and right side of the brain. I can be creative depending on the assignment and the occasion. There are times where I am strict with myself and I may try to be open, but it falls back in the head strong Jasmin that is thinking only on the left side because she is subconscious of those around her. I switch up a lot and I don’t think it’s a bad thing. I always believe that there is a time for everything and sometimes you need that rigid left side for accountability and discipline. I can identify myself as being closed and boxed in sometimes, because I am not a big fan of creativity in all areas. I don’t always vibe with other individuals’ creativity and I think some things should be kept original. I don’t see anything wrong with being strict if there is purpose behind it. For instance, I had a professor that was very old fashioned and strict, but I learned so much life lessons from his course. He was very passionate and though some may have considered him to be boring, I found him to be very wise. If I were in my younger mind, I don’t think that I would have saw his passion that came from every lesson that was taught. I wouldn’t have seen the importance of the load of homework, and papers that were given.
Then there is the right side, in which it seems to have more light, risks and a sense of freedom attached. It’s also the other side of me that likes to be creative in telling stories, dancing and singing. I would prefer imagery over plot because I have learned how juicer and memorable it is to my audience. This post has really got me thinking…
- Jasmin
Orella Chichester
ReplyDelete2/12/19
My use of Left Brain and Right Brain in the classroom depend on the class. In classes where midterms, finals, and long academic papers are assigned, I tend to use my left-brain for the learning process. Using the side of my brain that is mostly concerned with “linear, conventional, numerical and rule-bound thinking” is the best way for me to memorize exam information. In preparation for exams, I create linear study guides that start from the notes taken on the first day of class all the way up to the day before the exam. These notes are then organized into bullet and sub-bullet points. Notes and comments are placed in parentheses next to anything I think needs a bit more clarification. After these notes have been thoroughly organized, I then print them out and begin to study by highlighting and writing notes next to the appropriate points. I follow a similar process when writing research papers. I organize my thoughts, thesis, support, and sources prior to writing the paper. This allows the writing process to go more smoothly, in my opinion. However, when it comes to creative writing and journaling, I’m all Right Brain. When I put my pen to a sheet of a paper for creative purposes, I let my hands go wherever my brain declares. There is no structure. There is no agenda. My only goal is to write. Write what I feel or what I don’t feel. Write the first word that comes to mind. Write about what I’ll eat for dinner. For writings that are this free, it’s important that I use the side of my brain that is carefree, “fluid, love-based, descriptive, patient and flexible”. All of my creative works depend on and need the uninhibited process that the Right Brain provides. While all my academic works need the kind of meticulous and detailed process that the Left Brain provides.
After reading this blog I definitely feel as though I’m more of a Right Brain person. When given the example of being a dancer and it’s a different type of reaction when putting the music on at home she doesn’t know the steps as she would in her usual setting. I’m not completely sure if sometimes me blanking out with certain things that I’m familiar compares, however, I definitely have a lot of moments like such explained. My learning structures are definitely more descriptive and creative, I feel like it’s the most intriguing way to teach and for myself to learn. Poetry is one of my favorite ways to express myself, and at time my dreams can be so vivid and descriptive I feel as though I see possibilities, as crazy as it sounds. After reading this blog it makes me think about the fact that humans rarely use their full potential of their brain and the fact that there’s a way to think, as far as right/left side, and it’s rather interesting.
ReplyDelete-Angelique R.
In my earlier years, I have leaned towards the left brain and squeezed in the right brain as much as much as my surroundings and/or teachers allowed me to. I limited my creativity and expression in the classroom (5th grade through 11th grade) because my "teachers" failed to teach with their right brain and followed an exam-based objective instead. My expansive and descriptive side of the brain was most blocked off when the bubbles on scantrons left no room to spill ink of creativity outside their lines. The curriculum in most of my classes before going into a university, have brainwashed me into believing that there was only a right or wrong answer or way of thinking.
ReplyDeleteHowever, over my recent years of education, with the help of many expressive professors, my right brain has been allowed the opportunity to rise and expand beyond a constricted box. Poetry has been an outlet since I was younger and I’ve fell more in love with the more I practice it. Poetry has connected me with my right brain usage and helped me keep it alive all these years when my left brain wanted me to shut it off.
As a future educator, I look forward to first and foremost TEACHING children, way before any subject matters like math, science, and writing because if they aren’t in tune with themselves, it will be much harder for them to do well in any state exams or pop quizzes. I will invite and encourage creativity and their variety in interests so that both sides of their brain can feel welcomed. I will strive to find new ways to keep my students engaged and interested. My teaching will use all senses and expressiveness in order to allow the learning experience to be as “magical” as possible. This life goes beyond what is written in a textbook or what a student’s score is on the SAT’s. People in power will force us to walk across a straight line but it is our duty to use our own power as human beings to creative turns and dance through the routes we feel are “right” even if it means taking a left turn.
Marilyn Hernandez (Shakespeare Survey 3215-04)
The brain is such a fascinating and creepy thing to think about/study. I've studied it in previous sciences classes and I still feel amazed by it every time. How intricate each part of the brain is to perform a certain function or process. While reading this blog I thought to myself how cool the brain is, and never really thought twice about all it's truly responsible for. Sometimes I find myself driving aimlessly to my destination and snap back in to myself like "woah, how did I even get here?" It freaks me out because my subconscious is in control at that point. When it comes to my learning, I am definitely more of a right brain while working in the left here and there. I'm all about hands on experiences and creativity. Growing up I drew a lot of pictures and always loved creativity writing. As I got older, my left brain came in and structuralized what I was learning. I was always one to be creative, always getting myself dirty, always wanted to be original, and the like. Everything else I considered to be boring if I wasn't having fun with it. I think my left brain came in to organize where organization was needed, and to make sense out of my notes.
ReplyDeleteI definitely want my future classroom to be colorful and fun. I was always that kid who would decorate my different notebooks with pretty stickers for each appropriate subject. So I would want my future students to use their creativity in their learning, making the overall experience to be fun. Classroom projects would be an absolute MUST in my room!
Dear Dr. Rich,
ReplyDeleteI would like to start off by saying how enlightening this blog post is; it had clarified things to me that I literally never paid attention to. Now, I had noticed that my learning experiences are mostly toward the left side. Teachers and/or professors always choose to go by the strict rules. They tend to not support the idea for creativity just to follow the “Rules”. I personally dislike this because this left sided mentality tends to limit the students creativity. The students are not given the chance to dig deep into the right side of the brain due to the fear that the outcome would be “Inappropriate” according to the left side of the brain. It always seemed to me that I must follow rules, I must have the same idea as my fellow classmates and I must think inside the box in order to get this “One correct answer”. It wasn’t until recently that some of my professors had chosen to give us the option to explore the right side of the brain. For instance, I know for my young adult literature class, my professor had assigned to us a paper at the end of the semester that I believe will require our right side of the brain more than the left. This just makes me happy because the class was given a chance to be creative. I personally think that my brain is more left sided than right sided. And since now I know this piece of information about myself, I want to change so that my brain would have a good balance between the right side and the left side.
Debby
ReplyDeleteSenior Sem.
After reading this blog I began to realize that I left brain certain things more when I’m told to do it a specific way. I find myself also wanting to use my creative mind but I often get stuck trying to left brain my creativity which then turns against me because it doesn’t show my imaginary side and often at times makes my work seem so rigid. I’ve noticed that in many of my writing I often end up deleting things because “I begin to think “Oh wait that’s not want Professor wants”, which also makes me use my left brain. I notice that when using my right brain I tend to write more and often get stuck when left braining. Often at times when I’m writing things using my left brain I find myself less attentive because, I’m busy checking for misspelled and grammatical errors. This blog helped me distinguish between how I use both my left and right brain.
After reading this blog, I can say that I favor the right side of my brain more than the left. From the list of qualities about the Right brain, I realize acquire few of the traits such as process-oriented, experimental and creative, patient and flexible, thinking outside of the box, and love based and inspire. I demonstrate these traits on multiple occasions whether is in a classroom setting, at my job, or even at home.
ReplyDeleteBase on my learning experiences, I believe I am process oriented. I like to have well-defined instructions on any assignments given so I am aware of what needs to be done and how it should be completed. I like to pursue creativity in all my work but I feel as though my creativity is not always credited for because it tends to be misinterpreted. At first, it would seem like I am on track on a given assignment, but before I know it I start to think outside the box and steer off course on the points that I am trying to get across which leads to misunderstandings.
Even though I favor my right brain, I still believe there is a generative balance in using both sides of the brains in my classroom and in my learning process. I can still relate to at least a couple of the characteristics listed for the left brain such as strict and rigidness in the teacher lesson planning when I am being taught something new in class. Without the descriptive and visual demonstrations, I feel like I would not be able to function adequately in my academics.
After reading the blog post “Left Brain/Right Brain” I have had the opportunity to reflect on my everyday life. While reflecting I have realized that there is a balance between utilizing my left and right brain. I have discovered that I heavily utilize the left side of my brain in school as I strongly believe there always has to be a firm answer to a question. Often times I find myself becoming displeased when I am not given a yes or no answer. When looking at the educational system, there are certain professors that will allow students to step out of their comfort zone and let their creativity take over. Personally, I take a dislike to instructions that permit me to tap into my own thoughts as I am too afraid of voicing my ideas due to fear of getting the answer wrong. Being open-minded in school is a challenge that I face daily, but I am finding different ways to view assignments. On the other hand, the right side of my brain is frequently used when I am first given instructions on completing an assignment. I find that I am a visual learner and always ask to view an example of what has been assigned. Using the right side of my brain also comes in play when I am by myself not focusing on schoolwork. I often find my mind running, during the late night, thinking of possibilities in the world. I do not go to sleep right away due to dreaming of what could/will happen ultimately letting my mind flow.
ReplyDeleteBailey Vick
Hello Dr. Rich, this was an interesting read. I've always been fascinated by the concept of left brain and right brain. I have always considered myself to be more right brain than left brain. But, I have more left-brain qualities than I originally thought. In the classroom, I have to agree with you, that they use more of the left-brain approach to teaching and it is mostly ineffective. Especially for right-brainers, like me. So, since the classrooms normally use the left-brain approach more than the right brain approach, I have always struggled with the analytical side of school and with topics in English classes that are always subject to summarization. I have never thought about it that way and it makes sense to me that that is the reason my learning process was difficult. Also, why I never understood Shakespeare. I think I will always be a little more right brain than left brain, but I definitely have found out I have both in some way. I really love to think creatively, be inclusive, and think about the “out-of-the-box” possibilities. But, I also love things like organization, consistency, and rules. I don’t think I’d be me without both those sides. I think that schools need to open their minds to the possibilities of what “right brain” teaching might do for them and their students. Maybe there should be a shift in teaching methods where they don’t tell a student they’re wrong because they interpreted something different or they did not do a math problem in the “right” way. I remember I used to do algebra a little differently than the teacher and she used to take points off, even if my work produced the same answer and the work was right, just in the wrong order. It discourages students from that “out-of-the-box” thinking and can make it difficult for them to develop that right brain thinking. I hope one day someone changes that.
ReplyDeleteSofia Feggulis
Through the years, most of my learning experiences were Left-Brain centered; however, there were some classes that were Right-Brain centered. My English classes, Theatre classes, Art classes were usually Right-Brain centered because they were about experimentation and focusing on imagery rather than sticking to plot and being linear. My teachers also had to try and make the class interesting, especially if the class was at 9:30 in the morning! I think growing up, I became a mix of Left-Brain and Right-Brain because I was always creative, but I needed to keep an agenda to make sure all of the things I needed to get done in one day were completed. I don’t think there is anything wrong with being just Left-Brain or just Right-Brain, but a person must experience both in order to decide which way they lean toward. I believe there is a general balance of Left-Brain and Right-Brain in my classrooms because the students will not enjoy the classroom setting if it is all Left-Brain focused or if it is all Right-Brain focused. There needs to be a balance in order to keep students’ attention and to keep them interested in what they are learning. I have been in many classes where they just read off a PowerPoint slide and don’t expand on the subject or try to get our minds thinking about what we are being taught. I have also been in classrooms where there was absolutely no structure and I wasn’t able to learn about the subject. My learning process leans more towards Left-Brain but in order for me to remember the information, I am more Right-Brain. I must creatively study the information so that it isn’t a burden to learn, it is an activity.
ReplyDelete-Victoria Matthies
Dear Dr. Rich,
ReplyDeleteIn one of my classes recently the professor asked everyone to say if they were more right or left brained. Everyone was able to say they were more one then the other except for me. I do not believe that I can truly say one side of my brain is stronger than the other. I am very rule or law based and I do not like when other people break a rule or law. I do not cope well with change. But I like to think I am very creative. I daydream often and love when reading transfers, me to another detention or time. I often say I was born in the wrong era because I am old fashioned and am not the biggest fan of technology. I also have more old fashion beliefs and values but believe in the democratic government. I also have an example of group think, like your folk dance example, I do not know the pledge of allegiance or certain prayers because every time I said them it was in a group which I just had to follow along with. I very much appreciate that you do not scold in the class because when I was young which lead me to cry. I also still in college experience a lot of blind memorization instead of a true understanding of the material. I have professors that assign copious amounts of reading and then fail to go over most of it in class where I best understand it. I understand that some of the learning most by done on our own but when I get stuck teaching myself most of the material then I do not see what I am paying the professor for.
By Kathleen Conaty
When I think of myself, I would like to think of myself as a “right brainer”. Unfortunately, that is more of a fantasy than a reality. I catch myself using my left side of my brain way more than the right. The fortunate part of this is that I still have time to change. I would like to use the right side of my brain more because I want to show off my creativity. Although I have a real knack for DIYs, I don’t do them as often as a should. I am a very crafty person, but I do not show off those skills as much as I should. Instead, I read, write, and sleep. Very “left-sided” if you’d ask me. I do believe that you can be both, and that’s what I’m trying to be. I do not want to be defined as “closed, conscious, closed in, rigid and strict, etc.” I want to be defined as “rainbow over black/white, creativity over tests, imagery over plot.” But I don’t want to get rid of my talents coming from the left side of the brain. I think it is really special that our brains can basically “cut in half” and have two different ways of functioning. I also think its really special that we are able to unlock parts of our brains as we get older because as we do get older, we begin to realize how much we actually have to offer. As I am only twenty-one years young, being able to “unlock” something is amazing. It takes some people an entire lifetime to figure out who they are in this world and being able to find something like whether you are a left brainer or right brainer is something really huge in your life. It defines the type of person you are, and/or the type of person you want to be. Being able to identify and be confident in what side of the brain you are is half the battle. The other half is trying to figure out how to be both. In conclusion, although I wish to be a right-brainer, I admit to being a left-brainer. This is something I will change.
ReplyDeleteDr. Rich,
ReplyDeleteIn certain subjects or classroom settings I find myself a little left brainy (if that is a word). But some professor believe that structured syllabus’s’ and structures assignments will make us “stronger students” but I believe that when us (students) have a say it makes our education a lot better. I learn more in courses when I can use my left rain. I love using my imagination, experimenting, being creative and so forth. Bringing in imagery to a structured classroom can make the class more interesting and also get your moneys worth. Personally, I prefer to use my left brain. We were also taught from a young age to use our right brain; such as, being taught structured essays instead of being creative with our writing. Or even something as simple as drawing a shape, a circle needs to be all round correct, right? But if I draw an oval, according to the art teacher that is not a circle and they hand you a protractor and tell you to “get it right”. But why can’t we be creative? Why can’t my circle still follow the standard definition of being “round” and have its own round shape and still be a circle? It was instilled into our brains that we have one way to do a certain thing or task when in reality we have multiple ways to do multiple things. There shouldn’t be just one way – “the right way”. There should be – “your way” – your own creative way to do something. All in all there should be a balance of right and left brain in the classroom setting because it is important to use both sides of your brain but it is also important to be “Original”.
Thank you,
Anastasia Vazquez
Dr. Rich,
ReplyDeleteThe experiences in my life are almost always structured. Monday through Friday I have a set schedule which varies day-to-day, however, it is schedule that I follow. I go to class then to work and then I go home. On some days, I go to class, tutoring, work and on my way home by 6pm. Most days are structured and follow a routine. Even in the daycare I work at there is a daily schedule and a routine we follow no matter what. In my classes, the professor lectures and assigns work for me to do it. I then complete the assignments and submit them which allows this cycle to repeat. Monday through Friday is Left Brain all the way. Saturday and Sunday are the two days of the week in which things are not necessarily structured. I can go out with friends Saturday morning and then do whatever I want in the afternoon. Weekends are very much Right Brain for me because there is no particular structure or routine that I have to adhere to. Honestly, I find the best learning experiences that I have are, most of the time, during the weekends. I have so much free time that I could read a book and learn from it or I could look up more information about a topic I heard in class and just go crazy.
I feel that school is necessary and the left braining aspect of it, to a certain extent, necessary. School becomes too left brained when it follows grades so that it can measure growth. This becomes faulty because not everyone learns at the same time and at the same rate. Ultimately, I think that my learning process begins to become unbalanced between Left and Right Brain when my learning is measured in a linear way. This discourages me because I begin to compare myself to others who have grown substantially, and I have not. Doing assignments where I focus more on making sure it is right and what my professor wants to see rather than understanding the concept and learning, is where schooling begins to go downhill. I feel that the education system in general focuses on the aspect of grades and determining success that they steer away from the creative process which is what actually matters.
-Alison S.
After reading this article I tend to find myself leaning more towards left brain more than right brain which seems to be the norm in today’s world. I totally agree with you that the left brain is a lot more boring and unadventurous. The right brain to me is something I need to work on using more in order to have that perfect balance between left and right brain usage. The times I feel I have used my right brain I feel my creativity and thinking outside of the box were at an all time high. For example, I decided for a week I would try a new food everyday and to me this was not something my left brain would allow. My right brain definitely was in control that week and I feel I would of never have tried any of this until my right brain took more control of the situation. The left brain for me I feel has been utilized a lot more my whole life and I feel I was raised to only use the left side of my brain. This I feel working as a paraprofessional in an elementary school I am going to try and change how kids utilize the left and right side of their brains. I feel if I can work with children and try to make them use their right brains as much as their left brains it will make for a more successful life for them. In the future I hope to have more of a balance and utilize my right brain to open up my imagination and creative side.
ReplyDeletePersonally I favor the right side of my brain more than the left. I’m more process-oriented, experimental and creative, patient and flexible, thinking outside of the box, and love based and inspire. As you wrote “The Right Brain is the repository of all of our history as a species—spatially and temporally. It connects us in what sometimes feels magical ways. It offers us insight, joy, warning, possibility.” This really hit me, I’m a person who wants to connect with people more, and I’m definitely more creative and unpredictable than most. I feel as though the left side of my brain need to work out more.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I believe that the right side of my brain is more useful in my life, however I believe there is a generative balance in using both sides of the brains in less creative spots of your life. Even Though I can’t personally relate to some characteristics listed for the left brain such as strict and rigidness in the teacher lesson planning when I am being taught something new in class. I understand they are needed in a classroom setting, but i also feel they need to be balanced in a classroom
Hajrah Malik
Fernando Faura
ReplyDeleteENG 3215*01
I’ve once read somewhere that the brain is “cross-wired” and if you are left handed than you utilize more of the right brain and if you are right handed that you use more of the left brain. I am left handed and I agree that I tend to be more fluid in my mindset than not, especially after reading this article. Creatively, I’ve always indulged in poetry, drawing and writing. They would be an escape and would allow me to let my imagination flourish. Even though I do use my right brain more, there are certain qualities of the left brain that I use as well. I am very conscious of my surroundings and understanding in most situations. I am product oriented, especially when it comes to books. I also use prose well. So, while I may be right brain oriented, I believe that one side isn’t all that is used. Because even if the brain is “cross-wired,” it still connects both sides.
I would say before I came to college I was left brained; closed minded and conventional. My learning experiences are generally right brain based now that I have learned to be open to new ideas, even if they contrast from what I may have believed. I have grown to be very imaginative and allow the creativity in me flow without bounds. I wouldn’t say that I am the perfect balance between left and right brained but I would say I do have a fairly balanced way of learning. Topics that are more serious, like religions, I may be boxed-in to what I already know and be less receptive of new ideas. I tend to be more concerned about the facts and not going too far outside of the box. I am open to almost any new idea when it comes to learning completely new information or extended information about something I am curious about.
ReplyDeleteI love the fact that my Shakespeare survey class is mostly right- brained (in my opinion). We bounce off of each other with our own conclusions while weaving in the new information and personal interpretations. We spark different ideas within one another, which helps us as students draw our own conclusions of what emotion the original poet intended to invoke on their readers. I feel like I became majority right brained when I decided to accept the unknown. Nobody can know for sure what happened before us, why or how. I became more creative when I sat down and thought to myself, “Are my facts THE facts? Are MY truths THE truth?” That is when I started answering foreign ideas with “maybe” instead of “no”.
Thanks so much for a detailed post!
ReplyDeletehttps://blog.mindvalley.com/left-brain-characteristics/
Tina Gordon
ReplyDeleteLeft brain/Right brain
I think I am more of a right brain individual when it comes to being creative because I am open to new ideas and to experience new things with myself as a writer. I hate when I am in a classroom setting with the professor just reading off PowerPoints and not having more interactions and representing creative things to make the classroom livelier. I recall being in a few classes where I was bored throughout the entire class due to boredom stepping in because it was nothing creative about the class. I like when I am having fun learning with interesting things, and I am a visual learner as well so if they are things to let keep me interested, I would be more engaged in what the class has to offer.
Even at my job, there are so many Left brainers I work with because they do not take creative advices to do things to make the kids get engage. They just want to do things one way which is so boring and the kids do complain about how they are tired and bored about the same thing over and over. That is why whenever I have to do something with the kids, I do bring creativity to table to show them what they need to do to have to kids wanting to be at school and learning is fun.
Before reading this blog post, Left Brain/Right Brain, I had some class time with Dr. Rich where she went over this topic, gave us some ideas on it, and broke down what the two really stand for. During this class time, I learned some new things that I wasn’t aware of before-hand and with learning these new things, I was able to determine which brain category I fell under. Left brain or right brain? Hmmm it was honestly a bit challenging at first to determine which brain I had because I found myself stuck in the middle of the two. In now reading this blog post, I definitely still am stuck in the middle, because I feel as if I have both characteristics of the left and right brain. Relating back to our class discussion, we shared some ideas of the left brain such as, being manipulated, numerical, conventional, traditional, controlled, limiting, and mind. All of these ideas about the Left brain led to the main aspect of the left brain, which was (plot summary and secure). I believe this means that the left brain will settle for anything, just as long as it gets done. Therefore, that’s where the plot summary takes place and the feeling of being secure, in just getting the assignment done, instead of actually appreciating the work. This leads me to our class discussion about the Right brain, we shared ideas such as, being experimental, taking time, openness, context, expansive, and body/spiritual. All of these ideas about the Right brain led to the main aspect of the Right brain, which was (appreciating writing/poetry and wild). I believe this means that the right brain will expand on its knowledge and go above and beyond to succeed. The right brain is wild when it comes to writing and appreciating poetry because it’s willing to be open and be experimental. I truly do appreciate the picture that was added onto this blog post as well, because I believe it’s such a great representation of the two brains side by side. The right brain being more colorful and the left brain being more dull and grey. In the future moving forward, I will always try my best to make sure that I have a right brain!
ReplyDelete- Kelci Neto
The topic of Left Brain vs Right Brain is very intriguing to me, especially when it comes to thinking about the different traits each sides “possesses” and determining how they apply to me.
ReplyDeleteFor instance, when it comes to the different hobbies I enjoy doing, I tend to use my right brain a lot more. Which makes sense, because while I am singing, acting, dancing, and drawing I am allowed (and tend) to be more patient and flexible with myself. If I mess up during any of my hobbies, I can easily remind myself that it is okay and that “yes” I can do it. I also allow myself to express what emotions I need/want to express, without the fear of failing or feeling embarrassed.
However, when it comes to more serious activities, like school, I tend to be very left brain focused. In most ways, being left-brained during my work is beneficial. For instance, it helps me to be very analytical and (as you mentioned in your post) digital in my work, especially when I need to be in my writing. Left brain helps me remain organized, focused, and oftentimes it helps me use logic to find deeper thoughts about different topics (sometimes with the help of my right-side). It also tends to keep me focused at the task at hand and determined to get what I need to do, done.
Unfortunately, being left brain dependent without having some aspects of the right brain to help, while working, can have a negative. For instance, sometimes when I am working and am becoming more left-brain dependent, the helpful aspects from that side of the brain starts to turn more into obstacles. Instead of just making me analytical and digital in my work, my brain becomes more strict and critical. And sometimes not only on my work. Because of this change, the box that I start working in starts to shrink smaller and smaller and it gets more and more difficult.
Due to the criticisms my left brain provides, it is very crucial for me to try to remember to let my Right brain help me with my work. I should have the same mentality that I do when I let my right brain take over my hobbies. That it is okay if I mess up and that my work does not always have to be so structured (even though that’s how I was taught and how my left brain tends to work).
-Anna Lee
Nicole Diefenbacher
ReplyDeleteI am very much a visual learner and I think because of this I am more right brain leaning. I definitely think that there are times or certain situations where I am left brained, but for the most part, I think I am more of a right brained person.
I especially can relate to the ending of this post, where it says “The traditional classroom, too, favors a Left brain model.” I have always had classes where things were either right or wrong and there was no in between. So like I have discussed with you before, your class has come as a bit of a challenge to me sometimes solely because of the fact that I am not used to learning the way that you teach us. For me, it’s always been the answer is either right or wrong, not in between. So while it is a refreshing take on a way to learn, it is sometimes hard for me to understand that sometimes there is no right or wrong answer and sometimes it can be open to interpretation.
Upon reading this blog post I have come to the conclusion that as a person I focus more towards my left brain. I don’t allow myself to be creative or stand out as a person. Even when it comes to major things in my life I allow no room for creativity. For example after high school I knew for a fact that I had to go to college, Though many people make decent living without the college experience I felt like it was expected of me to go to college right away. In my personal life I believe that I absolutely can not get pregnant without first being married even though there are many happy couples who are not married and have children. Instead of taking chances and pushing myself to try something different I usually only stick to one way of thinking when it comes to just about anything. When looking at my writing it is really hard for me to step out of the box and interpret different meanings of the authors writing, prior to taking this class I believed that the author had a reason for wording things the way they did and that there was no other way of interpretation.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate that in this blog post you mentioned how when dancing you find yourself making corrections and trying to memorize the dance moves in which you are practicing not realizing that you’re relying too much on your left brain. About a year ago I took part in a dance that was performed for my aunts wedding and there was absolutely no originality in the dance. Everyone had to be on the same beat and performing the same steps at the same time. As a group we practiced for the performance months in advance in order to make sure we all had the dance memorized. I truly wish I knew about this blog post prior to the wedding because I’m sure if we all used originality and more of our right brain in our dance routine it would have been far more enjoyable to perform because while spending so much time making sure our performance was on beat and perfect we forgot that this was a moment for celebration, a wedding was to take place.
Personally after reading this blog post I would have to say I am more right brained than I am left. When it comes to arts and crafts or powerpoint designs I go all out. I like to add color everywhere along with attention grabbing images. Although I am hesitant to trying new things, I end up doing them with a little motivation involved. I also like to say that I am a visual learner. I enjoy when things are explained to me along with an image, a video or even a detailed explanation. If I am just given a task with no explanation whether it be visually or verbally, it becomes difficult for me to accomplish the task. When reading a play I sometimes like to look up visual scenes of the book on youtube, to better understand the interactions being explained throughout the play. I think everyone is a little bit of both sides of the brain but can lean more on one particular side. I believe with the professors I have, the classroom is structured by the professors left side of the brain. Majority of my professors like to go strictly by the book, lecturing on things that we can already read on ourselves. If teachers used more of the right side of their brain, class would be a lot more interesting and actually fun. Students would look forward to more of their classes if teachers incorporated more right brained lessons. Using the right brain could create much more interactions with students and create less borderlines. This will allow students to think freely and express themselves more during class time.
ReplyDelete- Ashley Cisneros
When it comes to my schoolwork I'm a left brain. In my 2 previous jobs I was a right brain. My schooling calls for me to be a complete left brain because there is a syllabus and rules to abide by. My left brain takes over since a lot of teachers have a strict format of what needs to be done and how. If it is not to their standards then it affects our grade causing stress which ultimately affects other classes and our lives. I don't try to be too creative with projects since most professors are not seeking the creativity. They just want to make sure that they did their job efficiently by you proving you understand the material. My right brain is freed at home and when I used to work in retail.
ReplyDeleteYour class gives me the freedom to let my right brain appear in my papers but it still makes me nervous that it is not enough. However, for the last project that you assigned I threw in an extra piece of my right brain in for you! (Spent time on something that is not required and I know won't be graded and I did it because you allow us to!)
Dr. Rich,
ReplyDeleteThis post is absolutely incredible. After reading the post and a few comments from my fellow students, I have decided that I think I am more left brained than right brained. I am an optimist, a go-getter, a extrovert, and I always need to keep myself busy doing something. Here is some food for thought: just because I am an optimist does not mean I am a negative person. I do think about the possibility of a negative situation occurring, or that the answer to something may just be no. That does not mean I should not be praising myself and not smiling every day. Smiling every day has been proven to help several issues, both mental and physical. Smiling is also a great way to practice gratitude and self love. Both left brained individuals and right brained individuals should smile more often! Smiles are for everyone, whether you are a believer or not! I also think that we need both sides of our brains to be successful in life. This is another reason why this post is so great. We are all expressing gratitude, being that we have both parts of our brains. Whether we think we are left brained or right brained; we all use our wonderful powerhouses - our brains!
Imagine if we as society were capable of accessing all the parts of our brain. There would be groundbreaking cures and technological advances every hour, creating a sustainable future for all generations both past, present and future. When it comes to learning, I have learned through deep self-exploration, whilst reading books, experiencing the arts, going out on hikes and even journaling, that I would much rather challenge myself to use my right brain over my left. Life is too short to be decent. In order to find complete personal fulfillment in all that we do, we must be willing, as humans, to do everything possible to seek the less desired and alternative path. In my days in K-12, I never felt that I was capable of being more than what I am. I believed that life outside of the mundane walls of high school was going to be difficult to manage and that my beliefs would not be valid. Once I got to college, something clicked. I was surrounded by brilliant minds who would end up challenging me and would help me access the parts of my brain I was too scared to examine. I found a deep love for theatre history, surveying the art form that has evolved drastically due to the constant changes, leading some very ordinary people to do some historic work. Not only do I love theatre history, I am accessing my right brain doing archival work in the Kean Theatre Conservatory’s Theater Library. By pushing the limits of constant expectations, it is possible to create a positive existence for yourself and the people around you. Without the right brain, living in this world would be miserable. Completely and utterly pointless.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate this blog post (and lesson in all Dr. Rich's classes) as its not something i have ever learned before. After it is broken down, i realize that most of my life has been engorged in the left brain's way of life. Whether it be parents, teachers, bosses or even myself, I used to take things and "left brain" them to death. Yes, I just used "left brain" as a verb. I love reading, writing and learning so much more now that I don't subject myself to only left braining whatever the topic may be.
ReplyDeleteAfter some thought, I discovered that I use mostly my right brain during situations and at a literary standpoint. Patient and flexible, coordinating, out of the box thinker, and being expansive is what a right brain user would do. When it comes writing I try to find the best topics and ways I could intrigue and entertain whoever is reading my paper. As a theatre performance major, this makes sense. Most theatre majors are very outgoing people who have to always think out of the box when it comes to most projects that we have to endure. Most of our lessons are taught that way so we can to explore every possible option when it comes to projects and learning about certain characters. When thinking of using my left brain, I take it as a whole different personality. It is hard to think about trying to use that one part of my brain because it is just not who I am. Having a rigid and strict way of thinking is too limited. I personally hate when certain projects have a strict guideline because I feel like I would never figure out what I should talk about and what I should focus on. When it comes to looking at classmates outside of theatre it seems like most people are left brain thinkers because they are taught to be that way. In my current Shakespeare survey class, since there are multiple theatre majors there it seems to be a nice balance of left and right brain thinkers that adds a lot of great discussions on certain topics and challenges everyone to think differently on situations.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading the blog post “Left Brain/Right Brain” I have had the opportunity to reflect on my everyday life. While reflecting I have realized that there is a balance between utilizing my left and right brain. I have discovered that I heavily utilize the left side of my brain in school as I strongly believe there always has to be a firm answer to a question. Often times I find myself becoming displeased when I am not given a yes or no answer. When looking at the educational system, there are certain professors that will allow students to step out of their comfort zone and let their creativity take over. Personally, I take a dislike to instructions that permit me to tap into my own thoughts as I am too afraid of voicing my ideas due to fear of getting the answer wrong. Being open-minded in school is a challenge that I face daily, but I am finding different ways to view assignments. On the other hand, the right side of my brain is frequently used when I am first given instructions on completing an assignment. I find that I am a visual learner and always ask to view an example of what has been assigned. Using the right side of my brain also comes in play when I am by myself not focusing on schoolwork. I often find my mind running, during the late night, thinking of possibilities in the world. I do not go to sleep right away due to dreaming of what could/will happen ultimately letting my mind flow.
ReplyDeleteBailey Vick
Brain training will boost your brain activities that lead to having good cognitive skills that help you to perform well wherever you on.
ReplyDeleteMemory Improvement Techniquest
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Kids Brain Trainer
Right Brain Training
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Thank you so much for sharing that amazing post with us. We will stay connected with your blogs for the future posts.
ReplyDeletehttps://blog.mindvalley.com/left-vs-right-brain/
Quality of the content in this blog is really superior and stuff is very helpful.
ReplyDeletehttps://blog.mindvalley.com/right-brain-characteristics/
I have always been right brained even though my high school teachers tried to force me to use my left brain. Even when I teach I am very creative and I do not teach all my classes the same, this always bothered my boss who was very left brainy, she always would watch my classes and criticize me for the way I taught. She did not like that I would make all my lessons games and I would take the surfboard out to show they have to properly paddle when doing the freestyle stroke and my point to my boss was it needs to be interesting and every child learns differently. Maybe if my high school teachers weren't so boring and generic I would of paid more attention.
ReplyDeleteGrowing up, my mom would always tell me how her, my father and my brothers all used the left-side of their brain because they were all into math and science and it happens that their careers reflect that. I, the black sheep of the herd, uses my right-side of the brain--history and English. I never saw the significance of what the left brain/right brain has to do with anything besides how we as human operate and triggers our interests, however, I love being a Right Brainer because I’m able to express myself more freely and use my creative side as where the rest of my family are just boring and are too uptight. They need a whole lot of Dr. Rich in their lives.
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