The article by Duman (2006) is a review of the study comparing two approaches to learning. The principal idea of the research is that most traditional teaching methodologies do not correspond to the human brain’s nuances. The subsequent implication is that traditional learning is not as effective as it can be and should be corrected. In my opinion, the one-sided interpretation of the results of the study drives the researcher to discredit traditional teaching in favor of brain-based learning (BBL).
The main theoretical framework used by the author of the study is formed by recent discoveries of neuroscience. Specifically, it has been established that the most effective learning transpires when emotional intelligence is also considered by the educational program. In essence, the article advocates for the inclusion of emotions, movement, and a positive learning atmosphere, which constitute some of the basic elements of BBL.
I think that the author’s criticism of the traditional method of learning is flawed due to a possible misinterpretation of the results. Within the study, control group A was exposed to traditional teaching, while experiment groups faced BBL. The analysis has shown that experiment groups indeed performed better, but it also showed that the results of the control group were not significantly lower and standard deviation was not high (Duman, 2006, p, 6). As a result, it is evident that the criticism of traditional methods is not fully supported by the actual results.
Altogether, it is too early to dismiss traditional learning methodologies since the research does not support this idea. BBL does exhibit better performance in participants that those who learned using a different strategy. However, the difference is not that high to claim that BBL should always be prioritized. Overall, I believe that the opinion of the author is biased towards evidence supporting BBL, while ignoring the significance of traditional learning.
Reference
Duman, B (Ed.). (2006). The effect of brain-based instruction to improve on students’ academic achievement in social studies instruction. 9th international conference on engineering education. Muğla University Faculty of Education. Web.