Daniel Pink’s A Whole New Mind, posits that while left-brain activities remain important, more of the right-brain characteristics will be needed for success in the future. The following is a review of the stated differences between right-brain and left-brain activities (quoted directly from A Whole New Mind):
(1) The left hemisphere controls the right side of the body; the right hemisphere controls the left side of the body.
(2) The left hemisphere is sequential; the right hemisphere is simultaneous.
(3) The left hemisphere specializes in text; the right hemisphere specializes in context.
(4) The left hemisphere analyses the details; the right hemisphere synthesizes the big picture.
While we all use both sides of the brain, we do have a bias towards one side, Most of us, through traditional schooling, have been trained to use the left hemisphere of the brain. How can we help our students develop and use their ‘whole mind’? Encouraging students to generate challenging and meaningful questions, inquire, think critically, and create novel responses, may be a step in the right direction.
Those interested in learning more should read Pink’s book and see how his suggestions of Design, Story, Symphony Empathy, Play and Meaning can help develop the whole new mind.
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