Brain-based Learning

Assimilation and Accommodation in brain-based learning

Child psychologist, Jean Piaget first formally noted that when students are presented with new information the brain will link or "stick in" the new material with whatever has been previously learned on the subject. This process is called assimilation. If there is no previous connection available the brain will squeeze the new material into areas of prior knowledge that are related in someway. This can cause confusion in the mind of the reader.

If the brain cannot assimilate the new information it will accommodate it. The process of accommodation requires the brain to create new fields in the brain to handle (or accommodate) the new information. This process is more difficult and requires more of an effort on the part of the learner. This is more difficult for adults than children. As young children develop, the ability to accommodate is at its highest. Older people are not as adaptable. Thus the saying; "you can't teach old dogs new tricks".

Through research we are now more aware of how the brain processes new information. Anything that helps the student prepare for receiving the new knowledge he or she needs is important for comprehension and retention.

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