The Secret Life of the Grown-Up Brain by DrRobbins https://padlet.com/robbinst6/7cgs2cmrmoh9 What thoughts do you have about how Strauch challenges our assumptions about our brains as they age? What do you think is next frontier in supporting adult learners throughout the life span? (Any implications for online learning are encouraged!) en-us 2017-07-29 20:58:15 UTC 2017-08-11 00:56:51 UTC hello@padlet.com Dr. Robbins robbinst6 https://padlet.com/robbinst6/7cgs2cmrmoh9/wish/180078615 Just testing this-- seems like it works now.  
Sorry about that!

]]> 2017-08-03 22:11:56 UTC https://padlet.com/robbinst6/7cgs2cmrmoh9/wish/180078615 Milana Davydova https://padlet.com/robbinst6/7cgs2cmrmoh9/wish/180108127 I was shocked to learn about some of the things that Strauch was debunking regarding aging brains. Although I am not yet considered middle aged, it made me hopeful and positive for when I do approach that part of my life, as there seem to be some great benefits with that time in life. A few examples that Strauch mentions that can encourage brain health as we age are exercise, diet, making new friends, learning a new language, exposure to ideas that we disagree with, and presenting the brain with "disorienting dilemma". One of the suggestions that she gives that I believe can be implementing with adult learners that can support them throughout the life span is exposure to new ideas, and presenting a problem. The classroom space and environment are a perfect place to use these techniques, and can ultimately provide enormous positive benefits for the learner. ]]> 2017-08-04 05:31:20 UTC https://padlet.com/robbinst6/7cgs2cmrmoh9/wish/180108127 Kristi Mix https://padlet.com/robbinst6/7cgs2cmrmoh9/wish/180120346 As someone who is is middle age I was thrilled to watch the video on the grown up brain. Going back to school in my 50's has been a challenge in terms of adjusting my life but thrilling in terms of what the experience is like to learn at 50 versus 20. I do feel like some things come easier and make more sense, and some things are more difficult because they take longer. I feel that I am experiencing exactly the things Strauch is talking about.

In terms of the next frontier, I think that older adults are the next frontier. This knowledge shared by Strauch is not commonly known and I think middle age adults need to be educated about these ideas. I have excitedly shared the video with my friends and most of them have never heard such things.

]]> 2017-08-04 11:52:32 UTC https://padlet.com/robbinst6/7cgs2cmrmoh9/wish/180120346 Stephanie Schafer Vieira https://padlet.com/robbinst6/7cgs2cmrmoh9/wish/180134181 I appreciate a lot of things that Strauch mentioned. Exercising the brain is crucial in any age, and I am pleased to see the increase of awareness about that. It is scary how we forget some things, and as we age, the chances of that happen more frequently increases. At work, we have some kids that only join us in the summer. There were countless occasions when my boss asked me "What's her name again?" this summer. My boss is a middle age man and has been working at the club for decades. He knows those kids as he teaches them three months out of the year, and yet, he forgets their names regularly. Exercise, exercise, exercise is crucial to stay sharp not only physically, but mentally as well.]]> 2017-08-04 15:19:57 UTC https://padlet.com/robbinst6/7cgs2cmrmoh9/wish/180134181 Rachel Fielding https://padlet.com/robbinst6/7cgs2cmrmoh9/wish/180137385 I was so happy and encouraged to learn of Strauch's perspective on our brains as they age. It was refreshing to learn that there is science to support the idea that our brains do not peak in early adulthood, but are actually in some ways the best they've ever been upon reaching middle age. Something I found interesting about the information shared was the fact that people in their middle age tested better than most did in their twenties. I also appreciated that she shared how people in middle age tend to remember the positives more than the negatives. So often we get too hung up on the negative things we experience, or the situations that bother us, and it was interesting to learn about how this may begin to shift as we begin to get older and both sides of our brain are more actively engaged. Strauch also comments that a way to encourage brain health is to push people out of their comfort zones. I think this can be applied in online learning by encouraging reflection and discussion around contested issues, and through the encouragement of a respectful dialogue in which people can challenge each others perspectives. ]]> 2017-08-04 16:09:04 UTC https://padlet.com/robbinst6/7cgs2cmrmoh9/wish/180137385 Megan Stevens meganmerrill25 https://padlet.com/robbinst6/7cgs2cmrmoh9/wish/180143514 I think that Strauch's comments are so important to be aware of and are crucial for adult educators to hear. I think this knowledge is still not well known and there is still this idea that once you reach a certain age your ability to learn decreases. I think that the knowledge Strauch presented can help eliminate this stigma. I appreciate that she discussed the gains humans brains experience as they age. She stated that people in middle age are better at getting to the essence of things in arguments and problems and that they are better able to see connections in the world. I also thought it was interesting that some individuals become competent enough to use both hemispheres of the brain to complete a task, that is fascinating! I think it is important as educators to help adult learners understand the potential of their brain and to help students move past the stigma associated with brains as we age. She also discussed ways in which we can exercise our brains such as diets, exercise, and making them uncomfortable through brain exercises. I think that this last idea of brain exercises could be applied to online learning by allowing for discussions on ideas or concepts that challenge the students views of the world.]]> 2017-08-04 17:54:46 UTC https://padlet.com/robbinst6/7cgs2cmrmoh9/wish/180143514 Maria J. https://padlet.com/robbinst6/7cgs2cmrmoh9/wish/180158490 I think a respect for strengths and life stages at different ages is essential for teaching adult learners. Different means of presenting content is essential to help learners at different ages. I also see value that learners learn from each other and learn from others who are a different age.

I found it interesting Strauch brought up the importance of diet and exercise.  Diet and exercise are such basic needs that influence much more than the obvious. Maybe, in the future, adult learning would include an aspect of diet and exercise. It would be interesting to have a diet and exercise class as a requirement to graduate. Both diet and exercise are unappreciated as necessary for learning at all ages.

The video discussed how it’s common for people to be forced to retire before they want to retire. Online adult education can help these retirees to learn new job skills. The retirees won’t be at the top of their career but they can still be active and potentially start a new career. 

]]> 2017-08-05 01:53:38 UTC https://padlet.com/robbinst6/7cgs2cmrmoh9/wish/180158490 Kirstyn Tubb tubbk https://padlet.com/robbinst6/7cgs2cmrmoh9/wish/180160897 I always rejected the notion that young people (college-aged) had the sharpest brains. I think this was a fascinating take on the grown-up brain. It seems as though adult minds can master complicated tasks despite stress and difficulties. Although they may forget "small" details; names, dates or details in a novel. As she mentioned, older brains tend to focus on positive images and not dwell on negative. THis could be important for adult educators to keep in mind. The "positivity effect" is a result of growth and experience. ]]> 2017-08-05 03:32:42 UTC https://padlet.com/robbinst6/7cgs2cmrmoh9/wish/180160897 Christina Hughes https://padlet.com/robbinst6/7cgs2cmrmoh9/wish/180203432 I enjoyed the way Strauch challenges the assumptions on our brains as they age. My mom and mother-in-law often complain about forgetting things or they'll ask me where their glasses are and they are on their heads. I always viewed this a small memory lapses that will only get worse with age, but it was encouraging to hear the studies she references about how those may be just a small part of aging, but cognitively we are stronger and better able to process logic and see things from a positive lens as we age. I also enjoyed that she stated doctors are getting more adept at knowing the difference between things that signify disease versus normal aging glitches.

I was pleasantly surprised that she brought up diet and mainly exercise as ways to keep the brain in shape. The brain can actually create new cells form exercise. The "disorienting dilemmas" she also referenced as a way to "exercise" our brain was interesting too. I remember my grandpa was always talking about how as he got older he tried to make sure he was still meeting new people, and talking to people in the coffee shop who disagreed with him. I thought it was a bit bizarre to do that in his early 60's, but I guess he was exercising his brain!]]> 2017-08-06 18:58:39 UTC https://padlet.com/robbinst6/7cgs2cmrmoh9/wish/180203432 Alex Hubbard https://padlet.com/robbinst6/7cgs2cmrmoh9/wish/180205656 I found this talk rather interesting and appreciate that Strauch is challenging past beliefs on this subject. As she acknowledges, the information that supports her ideas is rather new, and new information in research is always rather exciting. I had the thought during this video that the past view that cognitive ability degenerates over time was likely due to the fact that proper methods for teaching adults and meeting their needs as learners had not come into enough consideration yet. Certainly, if the instruction of adult learners is not structured such that it accommodates for the changes to how we learn that occur as we age, it would appear that the cognitive abilities of these adult learners would appear to have decreased. These new findings are exciting, especially in the modern world where access to online learning is becoming more and more accessible. It is likely that the number of adult learners will continue to increase with access to online education. This will provide more opportunities for middle-aged adults to "make their brain uncomfortable" as Strauch says, and will also make it easier for more research to be conducted to continue improving on methods for teaching adult learners.]]> 2017-08-06 20:33:32 UTC https://padlet.com/robbinst6/7cgs2cmrmoh9/wish/180205656 Kienan Allen https://padlet.com/robbinst6/7cgs2cmrmoh9/wish/180208118 While the knowledge that the human brain starts deteriorating at around age 27 is depressing, the prospect of slipping into dementia is downright terrifying. While there is a certain genetic component to this possibility that can't be helped, diet, exercise, and keeping oneself constantly engaged in learning new things are all things we can do to help mitigate the effects of growing older. As such, reminding and encouraging our students to remember to care for both their physical and mental hygiene is an essential task, as the two are inexorably linked. ]]> 2017-08-06 21:45:34 UTC https://padlet.com/robbinst6/7cgs2cmrmoh9/wish/180208118 Carmenlydia Reggans I inspired by this video. Many of us, have assumed that as we age, that are brain capacity decreases with age. I made a bold move several years ago to enroll in graduate school at Seattle U. Fear and lack of confidence had kept me from doing this sooner. I am encouraged that brain research according to Strauch, have found that one of the things you can do to increase your brain power at midlife, is to "push yourself out of your comfort zone." She states also the bigger the brain function, the more new brain cells you produce. This is very motivational for me, especially now, while I'm trying to survive and successfully complete my first online class. reggansc https://padlet.com/robbinst6/7cgs2cmrmoh9/wish/180209361 2017-08-06 22:26:44 UTC https://padlet.com/robbinst6/7cgs2cmrmoh9/wish/180209361 Anna Crow https://padlet.com/robbinst6/7cgs2cmrmoh9/wish/180234813 Strauch's talk really got me thinking of other biological misunderstandings we have as people. This talk really inspired me and challenged many misconceptions I held. This is important that adults know that their brains and experiences with their brains are valid and that they may only get better with time. This was really reassuring and great to have societal expectations of middle aged adults challenged. ]]> 2017-08-07 03:56:55 UTC https://padlet.com/robbinst6/7cgs2cmrmoh9/wish/180234813 Nicole Gardner https://padlet.com/robbinst6/7cgs2cmrmoh9/wish/180678297 This was fascinating. I know there has been lots of research lately on the effect of diet on our health,  so it makes sense that would extend to the brain. I also thought the link between diseases of the body, like a heart attack or diabetes, can impact the brain. I will definitely have to keep choosing "blueberries over Big Macs".

I agree with Strauch on her statements that one must make their brain uncomfortable. Several years ago I saw a therapist who practiced Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and she told me that my brain needed to get out of it's own "rut". She told me that in order to address my mental health, we would have to teach my brain to take a new path. That advice has stayed with me and helped me "rewire" my brain from time to time.

One challenge that stuck out to me, and also aligns with a "new frontier" for older learners is Stauch's statement that companies are doing the wrong thing by pushing older workers out. I think this presents an interesting problem. "Middle Age" workers are a significant part of the workforce, however, there are also large younger populations that follow them. We now have 5 generations in the place. Most American/Western companies are focused on short term profit, rather than what is good for society as a whole. How do we change this and create space for all 5 generations?

Overall, I loved this video, and actually sent it to my parents (who are in their 60s.)]]> 2017-08-11 00:27:21 UTC https://padlet.com/robbinst6/7cgs2cmrmoh9/wish/180678297