Written By
Georgia Farrokh
Digital Content Specialist,
Grand Canyon Education
Brain-based learning uses neuroscience to shape modern teaching, focusing on how the brain processes information. Core principles include engagement, emotional connection and active learning to boost retention and student success.
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Approved and verified accurate by the Dean of the College of Education on Nov. 17, 2025.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Grand Canyon University. Any sources cited were accurate as of the publish date.
Brain-based learning uses the science of how we learn to improve student engagement and motivation. This approach can be applied in modern teaching in many ways, including lesson planning, curriculum design and the strategies teachers use to present information.
A key concept underpinning brain-based learning is the principle of neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity refers to the brain’s ability to reorganize and adapt to new challenges or learning contexts. This flexibility allows us to learn new skills and effectively navigate a constantly changing world. Understanding structural plasticity — the process by which new neural pathways are generated in response to novel environments — can help both educators and students design more efficient learning processes.1
Implementing brain-based learning in the classroom can transform lessons into experiences that students remember. By aligning teaching methods with how the brain naturally learns, educators can boost academic outcomes. Below are practical tools you can use to bring these principles to life.
Optimal brain-based learning allows students to solve problems actively and explore solutions through different sensory modalities. Immersive learning activities that involve movement can help students develop new insights. Movement-based learning activities can also support students’ coordination, exploration, physical health and overall well-being. Creating interactive, puzzle-like activities for students to solve can be a great way to incorporate movement into learning.
Most learners can hold about six to eight items in their working memory. By creating small groups or “chunks” of items, students can remember far more. For example, individuals have been able to recall strings of over 200 digits by grouping them into four-digit clusters.6 Learning effective memorization strategies can boost students’ confidence and frame retention as a fun challenge. As students realize they can increase their ability to retain information, they may take a growth mindset toward their learning potential.
Students learn effectively when they are presented with problems that are relevant to their lives. Considering the practical contexts that students adapt to and framing lessons in these terms can help aid the transfer of learning. Many practical problems involve connecting multiple steps and have many potential solutions. Activities that require students to solve these problems can boost creative thinking and executive function as students learn how to organize sub-tasks and achieve their solution.
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Why is brain-based learning important? This approach transforms classrooms by aligning teaching with how the brain naturally processes information. When educators apply these strategies, students can engage more deeply, retain knowledge longer and develop critical thinking and creativity.
A study that implemented brain-based learning strategies in math education found a significant improvement in students’ intrinsic motivation to learn mathematics.7 They found that these strategies, including role-playing and visual storytelling, were the most effective tools for boosting motivation and engagement. Motivation is related to students’ perception of their competence,5 so breakthroughs in ability can create positive feedback loops in which students develop positive associations with the learning content.
Many brain-based learning strategies pay attention to the environment in which learning occurs. When students are in a new environment, they must pay more attention and in turn form stronger memories.2 Changing up the routine of the classroom by implementing the principles of active learning and movement can therefore improve student outcomes. Variations in the learning environment may also support student engagement by keeping the classroom experience fresh.
Encouraging students to analyze problems independently and explore solutions helps them to take ownership of their learning journey. Through hands-on experiences, such as case studies and practical problem-solving, students learn from trial and error, sparking creativity and strengthening critical thinking skills. These active learning approaches stimulate the brain to form new neural pathways, laying the foundation for innovative ideas and deeper understanding of classroom material.1
Brain-based learning is an approach to education that incorporates neuroscience to guide teaching methods and improve learning outcomes. It seeks to understand how the brain stores, processes and remembers information and uses those principles to create effective learning environments.
We spoke with Dr. Meredith Critchfield, dean of the College of Education, to learn more about brain-based learning and how this approach is introduced to future educators and woven into coursework at GCU.
At GCU, preparing future educators goes beyond traditional learning methods. The College of Education integrates brain-based learning into curriculum design and instruction, helping graduates to feel equipped to create engaging and effective classroom environments.
Dr. Critchfield explains, “At GCU, we’re very intentional about bringing brain-based learning into both our curriculum and instructional methods. We know that when future teachers understand how the brain learns best, they’re better equipped to create engaging, effective classrooms.”
This philosophy is not just theoretical; it is incorporated throughout the student experience. “We embed brain-based learning strategies like collaborative projects, visual aids, interactive activities, videos, real-world problem-solving and opportunities for reflection, so our GCU students experience them firsthand. Then, in various courses, we help our future educators unpack why those strategies work, based on neuroscience and cognitive research. It’s a powerful combination of theory and practice,” adds Dr. Critchfield.
At GCU, we believe that effective teaching begins with a strong foundation in research-based practices. Our teaching degrees are designed to equip future educators with the knowledge and skills needed in today’s evolving classrooms.
Through coursework grounded in educational theory and practical application, you’ll explore innovative strategies such as brain-based learning, differentiated instruction and student-centered pedagogy. Whether you're pursuing early childhood, elementary, secondary or special education, GCU’s programs emphasize the integration of theory with hands-on experience. Join a community of passionate educators and prepare to make an impact in the classroom.
"For GCU students to be ‘good’ at brain-based teaching when they go into their own classrooms, we have to model it for them. This means that no matter what modality our GCU students are taking courses — in person, on our campus or online — our faculty are modeling brain-based strategies."
— Dr. Meredith Critchfield, Dean of the College of Education
Dr. Critchfield explains, “Brain-based learning is such a powerful approach because it taps into how students naturally learn best. When we use teaching strategies that line up with how the brain organizes and uses information, we see a huge boost in both engagement and learning outcomes.” Some of the key ideas of this approach focus on how the brain is nested within physical, social and emotional environments and experiences.
Designing an optimized learning process involves considering the learner’s emotional state and connection to the subject matter. Unsurprisingly, we learn and remember information that we evaluate to be meaningful and relevant.2 Supporting student engagement through autonomy-supportive practices and strong student-teacher relationships can help students develop a personal connection to the subject material. “On the surface, it may seem like it’s just about making learning ‘fun,’ but it’s not. Brain-based learning is about teaching information in a way that actually makes information worth remembering,” Dr. Critchfield explained.
Active learning allows students to become a dynamic participant in the learning process. While some traditional methods of instruction expect students to passively receive information, active learning gives students the ability to engage directly with learning materials through peer discussions and completing case studies that mirror real-world problems.3
Repetition is another powerful tool in brain-based learning. One study found that visiting the same topic at structured, spaced intervals improved retention and understanding of the material.4 This method helps students to learn and embed concepts rather than simply memorize them.
Learning is a complex process that involves both the brain, and the environments students learn in. Learning environments should meet basic needs including physical and psychological safety while also facilitating autonomy, relatedness and competence.5 Teachers who create calm, pleasant and orderly learning environments give students’ brains an optimal environment to learn and grow in.
