The left brain controls language, logic, interpretation and arithmetic, whereas the right brain controls geometry, nonverbal processes, visual pattern recognition, auditory discrimination and spatial skills. When engaged in activities that cause a person to be cheerful or happy, the person uses the left brain. On the other hand, negative emotions are associated with the right side of the brain.
Psychology professor Seymour Epstein reviewed over 30 different studies on how humans process information and identified two main learner types: experiential and rational. The experiential learner is more right-brained, and the rational learner is more left-brained. Some characteristics of the experiential learner are emotionally engaging, personally convincing, interpersonal, primitive, simpler, perceptual and positive. The experiential learner can also more effectively change his feelings and behavior than the rational learner. Some characteristics of the rational learner include analytical, formal, theoretical, more complex, removed from direct experience, capable of negation, logical, structural, organized and conceptual. The rational learner is also more commonly associated with verbal, numerical and spatial intelligence.
The most effective learning strategies for the experiential learner include stories, emotions, intentions, actions, scripts, narratives, five senses, images, acting, movement, feedback methods and metaphors. For the rational learner, the most effective learning strategies include charts, tables, diagrams, formulas, systems analysis, organizational methods and process designs.
Over time, many creative learning methodologies have been introduced, claiming to accelerate or supplement the learning process. Some of these include learning during sleep, altered consciousness learning, neurolinguistic programming, parapsychology, meditation and subliminal self-help. In 1984, the National Academy of Sciences undertook the evaluation of nonordinary learning methodologies but found no merit in these or any of the other methods analyzed.
People who are strong in one type of learning might be weaker in the other. Redundancy in course design helps facilitate a successful learning experience for both types of learners. For example, if the instructor gives an expository definition to the learner, he should also provide a story that illustrates the concept. Another example of teaching to both sides of the brain is to conduct an experiment for every lecture or discuss an activity after completion.