Joint Presentation with Judy Willis - NESA

Applying What We Know
Prefrontal Cortex for Higher Order Skills
(Executive Functions)
The prefrontal cortex is the last part of the brain to mature-myelination, pruning. The brain
maturation of this executive function control center is the last to come “online” and the maturation
process continues into the mid twenties). The prefrontal cortex (PFC) responds to event and memory
processing and makes conscious decisions. It is the region of the frontal lobe where the brain
directs the planning of the movements to do a task.
The PFC, once mature is associated with the highest cognitive processes, also referred to
as executive functions, including planning, decision-making, reasoning, and analysis These executive
functions, when formed into complete networks allows for patterned information to be used for
organizing, analyzing, sorting, connecting, prioritizing, self-monitoring, self-correcting, assessment
of one’s strengths and best strategies, abstractions, creative conceptual problem solving, attention
focusing, and linking information to appropriate actions.
Executive Functions
Cognitive processing of information that takes place in areas in the prefrontal cortex and allow
one to exercise conscious control over one’s emotions and thoughts. This control allows for patterned
information to be used for organizing, analyzing, sorting, connecting, planning, prioritizing,
sequencing, self-monitoring, self-correcting, assessment, abstractions, problem solving, attention
focusing, and linking information to appropriate actions. Mature humans are the only creatures with
the ability to analyze their thoughts and behaviors and then act in accordance with expectations for
goal attainment.
o Judgment: This executive function includes self-checking strategies such as estimating or
checking grammar accuracy, time planning, looking for clues for questions in subsequent questions,
and checking in with oneself to monitor their focus.
o Prioritizing: Separating low relevance details from the main ideas and connecting separate
facts into concepts. In college, many students still need to develop prioritizing skills students to
make the most efficient use of study time and plan papers and study schedules.
o Setting goals, providing self-feedback, monitoring progress: Until students fully develop
this PFC executive function, they are limited in capacity to set and stick to realistic and manageable
goals. They don’t yet recognize their incremental progress along the way to goals
without help.
o Remembering and applying past emotional, test prep, report planning experiences and applying
potential “lessons” from those experiences to new situations, decision-making, analysis,
and judgment.
©2010 Jay McTighe and Judy Willis page 32