The amygdala regulates the brain’s response to emotions such as fear, excitement, and pleasure. As part of the brain’s limbic system, it is located next to the hippocampus – the part of the brain that plays a significant role in converting information from working memory to long-term memory. Exposure to long-term stress has been found to cause damage to the amygdala which may account for why some students, particularly those from poverty, struggle to regulate their emotions and behavior (Lau, et al., 2016).
Part 2: Reflection
Select two of the facts from your Top 5 list, and in 250-500 words, reflect on and describe ways in which the brain affects learning, constructs knowledge, acquires skills, and develops thinking processes. Be sure to describe opportunities to improve instructional practice and facilitate student learning with the use of technology.