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[ ARTICLE ]LEFT-BRAINED VERSUS RIGHT-BRAINED: WHICH IS THEBETTER FORLEARNING?Sharyn HardyGallagherVisiting Professor,University ofMassachusetts1 University AveLowell, MA 01854(978) 934-2815Reprinted withpermission fromTHE NATIONALTEACHINGAND LEARNINGFORUM, a bimonthlynewsletteron college teachingpublished by JamesRhem & Associates,LLC, 301 SouthBedford Street, No. 3,Madison, WI 53703.Individual printsubscription, $49annually. Multipleorders discounted.Internet site licensesavailable(www.ntlf.com).Orders and additionalinformation:(608) 255-4469.“Almost everyone has heard about this research on learning,memory and hemispheric specialization in a general way, butreviewing it in a bit more than the usual level of detail may enhanceits value to our teaching.As educators, we present vast amounts of information to ourstudents. We try to have interesting lectures and relevant projectsbut students’ performance on exams frequently suggestswhat we’ve presented hasn’t stuck. We know we covered materialadequately, yet students struggle with memorizing everythingthat we impart in time for the exam.The past 30 years have seen a great deal of research on learningand memorization. One area of research has looked at the twohemispheres of the brain and the activities performed by eachside. The left side of the brain performs the more logical functions,which deal with verbal and analytical processes. The rightside performs activities thought of as more creative, those dealingwith patterns and relationships. By understanding how the brainworks, researchers hoped to be able to figure out optimal waysfor learning.Traditional instruction in higher education has long beenabout words: the professor’s lecture, the textbook descriptions,the writing assignments and the examinations. These activitiesmake use of the left side of the brain. If student performance hasroom for improvement, do we need to do more with the “leftbrain” or should we focus on the “right brain”? The answer is“both,” for the functions of each hemisphere are complementary,and when tapping into both sides of the brain, the mind is at itsgreatest power and flexibility (Williams, 1983).Almost everyone has heard about this research on learning,memory and hemispheric specialization in a general way, butreviewing it in a bit more than the usual level of detail mayenhance its value to our teaching.BEA—Educating tomorrow’s electronic media professionals 15