How is the water of the physical brain
turned into the wine of consciousness? This question, posed by Colin McGinn, a
British philosopher, represents man's continuing efforts to understand the
mystery of the human brain and how it works. Indeed, many scientists have
dubbed the twenty-first century as the “age of the brain,” and it will
historically be known as such.
Educators, more so than at any other time,
have a tough time fulfilling the expectations of a modern society. The Age of
the Brain has certainly placed more demands on this group of important
professionals. Think of the weight that competition among countries for the smartest and
brightest individuals, those who will increase the wealth of intellectual
property, carries.
I personally feel that current research is doing much
to assist today's educator. To be informed, the educator must take advantage of
new theories on how the human mind works. However, to be successful, the
educator must also utilize theories that have been proven.
There have been many theories in education
that have stood the test of time. One theory that specifically relates to the
mind is Bernice McCarthy's system of learning called the 4MAT System. This system
challenges the educator to consider the existence of four major learning styles
in humans: (1) The Imaginative learners; (2) The Analytic learners; (3) The
Common Sense Learners; and (4) The Dynamic learners.
With the 4MAT System McCarthy does not advocate
separating learners into four groups; she is basically saying an individual has
stronger tendencies to a particular style of learning. Indeed, she even
suggests there are overlaps of groups. She is saying if we can identify the
learning styles in a classroom and subsequently identify which students lean
toward a particular style, then the educator can adapt his or her teaching
styles to the situation.
A bonus that comes with utilizing the 4MAT
system, according to McCarthy, is that “it offers a way to accommodate, as well
as challenge, all types of learners by appealing to their accustomed learning
styles while stretching them to function in less comfortable modes."
To me, the 4MAT system gives meaning to
the literal definition of education, i.e. "to draw out or from within.” If
my child’s teacher has heard of the 4MAT system and, best yet, is using some
form of it in the classroom, I would want to know.
If colleges of education are including the
study of the 4MAT and other proven systems in their curricula, they will help
the prospective educator and his/her students become more successful in today’s
world.
