Dopamine in the Classroom

This year, several new teachers have asked me to clarify for them how brain chemistry can be leveraged to increase engagement, counteract trauma, and even maximize information retention. There are several good research projects targeting this aspect of Mind, Brain, and Education Science, here is just one that is quickly accessible for the classroom teacher who wants to know the practical "how to" utilize new knowledge in this field. "Dopamine is a major neurotransmitter or “brain chemical” which is an essential part of the brain’s reward system and has a big effect on the way the brain functions. A recent study shows that working memory training increases the brain’s capacity to absorb dopamine," Sonic Learning.