Students have different learning styles, performance abilities and knowledge levels. Children and adults learn differently, boys and girls develop skills at different rates/levels. Knowing the differences benefits educators in their professional duties.
Using the levels of intellectual development of students, lessons are developed from concrete to abstract concepts. Lessons are built around what students already know with additional information to build new levels of knowledge.
Designing learning strategies from an understanding of how the brain works involves students' interaction with learning materials, other students, teachers, family and society. Adults are more self-directed than children. Teaching methods are designed to meet these student characteristics.
The benefits of brain based learning include knowing what foods the brain requires for optimum functioning and how physical exercise relieves stress that inhibits learning. Educators use this information to make decisions on nutritional programs for students, and physical/health education classes.
Multiple types of feedback that are specific and task oriented allow the brain to grow. Success should be rewarded and opportunities provided for self-assessment.