Learning, the Arts, and the Brain -- The Dana Foundation

A report issued by The Dana Foundation in 2008 expresses some interesting implications regarding how the human brain learns, specifically addressing the correlation between the arts and learning processes. The report states the following:

1.      An interest in a performing art leads to a high state of motivation… that leads to improvement in other domains of cognition.

2.      Genetic studies are beginning to show genes that may help explain individual differences in interest in the arts.

3.      Specific links exist between high levels of music training and the ability to manipulate information in both working and long term memory.

4.      In children, there are links between practice of music and skills in geometrical representation.

5.      Correlations exist between music training and both reading acquisition and sequence learning.  One of the central predictors of early literacy, phonological awareness, is correlated with both music training and the development of a specific brain pathway.

6.      Training in acting leads to memory improvement.

7.      The tempermental factor of openness is influenced by dopamine-related genes.

8.      Learning to dance is related to observational learning.  This organization of complex actions done by neural substrates may transfer to other cognitive skills.

As an instructional designer, this report fascinates me.  First, it expresses the importance of genetics and brain functionality to the learning process.  Second, it expresses the importance of including the arts in every day instruction.

However, this report also leaves me with many questions.

Are some students predisposed to excelling in the arts?

Do some students read sooner and have better reading comprehension due to predisposed factors, such as musical talent?  Is it possible to overcome these?

 

Can early exposure to the arts enhance the “neurological pathways” in order to help children later in life as learners?

Gazzaniga, M. (2008) Learning, arts, and the brain: the Dana consortium report on arts and cognition.  New York: Dana Press.

 

www.dana.org