Debunking Learning Myths

The Well-Trained Mind podcast

In this episode, Susan Wise Bauer and Susanna Jarrett debunk some of the most popular myths about how the brain works. If you take a sip of coffee every time Susanna says “pigeon-hole” throughout this episode, you will end up well caffeinated for the day!

We encourage you to look up these neuromyths on your own! Below are just a few articles (and a video) to start your research:

Show Notes:

• Research: Persistence of Neuromyths in Educational Settings

Myth 1:

• News Article: Right brain/left brain, right? Via Harvard Health Publishing
• Full Research Study: An Evaluation of the Left-Brain vs. Right-Brain Hypothesis with Resting State Functional Connectivity Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Myth 2:

• News Article: Debunking the Learning Style Neuromyth Via Forbes
• Round-up of Research: Learning Styles as Myth via Yale

Myth 3:

• News Article: Why There is No Such Thing as a Normal Brain via BBC
• Research Article: The Myth of the Normal Brain: Embracing Diversity via The AMA Journal of Ethic
• Rethinking School: How to Take Charge of Your Child’s Education by Susan Wise Bauer

Myth 4:

• Article: Why a high IQ doesn’t mean you’re smart via Yale School of Management

Video: The Dark History of IQ Tests via TedEd

• (00:00) - Debunking Learning Myths
• (02:24) - Left-brained vs. right-brained
• (05:01) - The power of figures of speech
• (10:34) - Break
• (12:11) - Matching instruction to learning style
• (22:32) - Learning discorders
• (28:11) - IQ scores
• (35:29) - Outro