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Issued:21/05/13
The evolution of the human brain and how the physical environment affects the way we learn will form the basis of a free, public lecture at Sheffield Hallam University.
Colin Beard, professor of experiential learning at Sheffield Business School at Sheffield Hallam, will give his professorial lecture titled, 'Rethinking the human experience of learning' next month.
He will explore the way in which the brain, part of which has evolved from reptilian species wiring from 500 million years ago, responds to certain environments and how different spaces can increase the effectiveness of how we work and learn.
Colin said: "What we know about learning is now much more advanced and we have moved on a long way from ideas that started out by watching animals.
"My talk is about shedding light on new ways of thinking about how we learn. I will look at how a person’s understanding of learning is rather complex in that it requires a multi-disciplinary understanding of the ways in which the body, mind, senses and emotions work together in given environments.
"The body has a natural in-built GPS sensory system and the brain works in harmony with that. It cannot fully digest information purely given through speech or via lines in a book so I envisage an exciting future where learning and teaching will be supported by giant IT-enabled glass walls with touch screen functionalities - allowing the mind and body to work together on complex problems."
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Colin's talk will also look at the role of sensory intelligence (SI) and emotional intelligence (EI) in learning. He will explain how the reptilian part of our brains controls our emotions but it is our 'sensory intelligence' that we need to have a deeper understanding of them.
His texts on experiential learning are used by many organisations across the globe. Starting out with a degree in Zoology and a research expedition to the Amazon rainforest in the early 1970s, his adventurous experiences have resulted in many invitations to deliver international keynote speeches.
Colin's lecture will take place on Tuesday 4thJune 2013 at 6.30pm in Sheffield Hallam's Stoddart Building room 7140.
Places are free and include light refreshments but must be booked in advance at www.shu.ac.uk/events
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For press information: contact Sarah Duce in the Sheffield Hallam University press office on 0114 225 4025 or email s.duce@shu.ac.uk
