 
Reviewed by John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on June 1, 2010
Although discontinuing use of antidepressant during pregnancy can result in depressive relapse, a new study finds an increased risk of miscarriage in pregnant women using antidepressants.
Antidepressants are widely used in pregnancy and up to 3.7 percent of women will use them at some point during the first trimester.
The study, found in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, found a 68 percent increase in the overall risk of miscarriage in pregnant women using antidepressants.
Most previous studies on the use of antidepressants in pregnancy did not look at miscarriages as a main outcome, had small samples and several showed contradictory results.
This large study sought to determine the association between antidepressant use in pregnancy, including classes, types and doses, and the risk of miscarriage.
Read in Full:Â http://psychcentral.com/news/2010/06/01/miscarriage-risk-with-use-of-antidepressants-during-pregnancy/14203.html
 
Reviewed by John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on June 1, 2010
A new research study investigates how the brain updates our memory bank so as to improve our expectations of future rewards.
The refresh is necessary so that we may make accurate predictions about those rewards in the face of a changing environment.
Although exactly how the brain orchestrates this process remains unclear, the new study suggests that a combination of two distinct learning strategies guides our behavior.
A paper about the work will appear in the journal Neuron.
One accepted learning strategy, called model-free learning, relies on trial-and-error comparisons between the reward we expect in a given situation and the reward we actually get.
The result of this comparison is the generation of a “reward prediction error,†which corresponds to that difference.
For example, a reward prediction error might correspond to the difference between the projected monetary return on a financial investment and our real earnings.
In the second mechanism, called model-based learning, the brain generates a cognitive map of the environment that describes the relationship between different situations.
“Model-based learning is associated with the generation of a ’state prediction error,’ which represents the brain’s level of surprise in a new situation given its current estimate of the environment,†says Jan Gläscher, a postdoctoral scholar at Caltech and the lead author of the study.
“Think about a situation in which you always take the same route when driving home after work, but on a particular day the usual way is blocked due to construction work,†Gläscher says.
“A model-free learning system would be helplessly lost; it is only concerned with taking actions that in the past were rewarding, so if those actions are no longer available it wouldn’t be able to decide where to go next.
“But a model-based system would be able to query its cognitive map and figure out an efficient detour using an alternative route.â€
Read in Full:Â http://psychcentral.com/news/2010/06/01/brain-images-reveal-how-learning-strategies-work/14175.html
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Reviewed by John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on June 1, 2010
A new research study investigates how the brain updates our memory bank so as to improve our expectations of future rewards.
The refresh is necessary so that we may make accurate predictions about those rewards in the face of a changing environment.
Although exactly how the brain orchestrates this process remains unclear, the new study suggests that a combination of two distinct learning strategies guides our behavior.
A paper about the work will appear in the journal Neuron.
One accepted learning strategy, called model-free learning, relies on trial-and-error comparisons between the reward we expect in a given situation and the reward we actually get.
The result of this comparison is the generation of a “reward prediction error,†which corresponds to that difference.
For example, a reward prediction error might correspond to the difference between the projected monetary return on a financial investment and our real earnings.
In the second mechanism, called model-based learning, the brain generates a cognitive map of the environment that describes the relationship between different situations.
“Model-based learning is associated with the generation of a ’state prediction error,’ which represents the brain’s level of surprise in a new situation given its current estimate of the environment,†says Jan Gläscher, a postdoctoral scholar at Caltech and the lead author of the study.
“Think about a situation in which you always take the same route when driving home after work, but on a particular day the usual way is blocked due to construction work,†Gläscher says.
“A model-free learning system would be helplessly lost; it is only concerned with taking actions that in the past were rewarding, so if those actions are no longer available it wouldn’t be able to decide where to go next.
“But a model-based system would be able to query its cognitive map and figure out an efficient detour using an alternative route.â€
Read in Full:Â http://psychcentral.com/news/2010/06/01/brain-images-reveal-how-learning-strategies-work/14175.html
 
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From July 21-27, Bankside Gallery in London is displaying an eclectic range of work by English artists, some of whom have learning disabilities, learning difficulties, mental health problems, or conditions such as Asperger’s syndrome and dyslexia. The exhibition, Boundless – Connecting Artists, was conceived by Steven Rose, the chief executive of the learning disabilities charity Choice Support.
Source/View Gallery:Â http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/gallery/2008/jul/07/learningdisability.boundlessexhibition?picture=335332915
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From July 21-27, Bankside Gallery in London is displaying an eclectic range of work by English artists, some of whom have learning disabilities, learning difficulties, mental health problems, or conditions such as Asperger’s syndrome and dyslexia. The exhibition, Boundless – Connecting Artists, was conceived by Steven Rose, the chief executive of the learning disabilities charity Choice Support.
Source/View Gallery:Â http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/gallery/2008/jul/07/learningdisability.boundlessexhibition?picture=335332915
 
17-year-old McElwain delivered stunning performance in first game
updated 5:52 p.m. ET March 2, 2006
GREECE, N.Y. – Alone in the gym after practice, Jason McElwain went through his elaborate pregame ritual.
The 17-year-old senior, manager of the Greece Athena High School basketball team, drained a 3-pointer, a double-pump layup and a free throw, kissed the back of his ring finger at center court and sped off to the dressing room to exhort and amuse his teammates.
“You’ve gotta give it everything you got!†McElwain sang in rap verse. “The winner goes home all happy/The loser goes home and says/‘Mommy we lost the game, wah wah wah!â€â€™
McElwain, who is autistic, was back in his role as an all-around motivator on the eve of a sectional semifinal game Tuesday night — handing out water bottles, dispensing tips, helping run drills. Two weeks earlier, he suited up for a game and delivered a jaw-dropping performance.
His play drew national attention, and a flood of calls from Hollywood. His parents have received inquiries from about 25 production companies ranging from The Walt Disney Co. and Warner Bros. to independent documentary filmmakers.
“I don’t know what I’m walking into,†McElwain said.
Read in Full:Â http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/11526448/
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17-year-old McElwain delivered stunning performance in first game
updated 5:52 p.m. ET March 2, 2006
GREECE, N.Y. – Alone in the gym after practice, Jason McElwain went through his elaborate pregame ritual.
The 17-year-old senior, manager of the Greece Athena High School basketball team, drained a 3-pointer, a double-pump layup and a free throw, kissed the back of his ring finger at center court and sped off to the dressing room to exhort and amuse his teammates.
“You’ve gotta give it everything you got!†McElwain sang in rap verse. “The winner goes home all happy/The loser goes home and says/‘Mommy we lost the game, wah wah wah!â€â€™
McElwain, who is autistic, was back in his role as an all-around motivator on the eve of a sectional semifinal game Tuesday night — handing out water bottles, dispensing tips, helping run drills. Two weeks earlier, he suited up for a game and delivered a jaw-dropping performance.
His play drew national attention, and a flood of calls from Hollywood. His parents have received inquiries from about 25 production companies ranging from The Walt Disney Co. and Warner Bros. to independent documentary filmmakers.
“I don’t know what I’m walking into,†McElwain said.
Read in Full:Â http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/11526448/
Jan
22
 
The kinesthetic learners characteristics, tips to help them study in a better manner and useful information for teachers about how to teach kinesthetic learners is presented in short, in the following article.
The kinesthetic learners who are also known as tactile learners grasp things in a better manner by actually doing them. Performing a physical activity associated with learning, rather than mere reading/listening helps the kinesthetic learners to understand things quickly. Instead of premeditating or thinking about a particular activity in advance, kinesthetic learners resort to trying out things and understand them in the due process. Kinesthetic learners form 15% of the total population of the world. Characteristics of kinesthetic learners are presented in the following paragraph.
Characteristics of Kinesthetic Learners
The kinesthetic learners characteristics given below should be useful in understanding about their behavioral patterns and needs. Teachers, parents and kinesthetic learners themselves can make most of the information presented below. The information can also help in understanding more about the kinesthetic learners activities.
- The kinesthetic learners, owing to their restless disposition, are deemed as hyperactive in childhood. Read more on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
- They have a habit of tapping feet, moving their legs, wiggling, etc.
- The energy or probably urge of making movements continuously should help kinesthetic learners to become good athletes, dancers, actors, etc.
- It is observed that kinesthetic learners are good at sculpting, repairing stuff, painting, woodworking and many things which requires working with tools.
- The hand-eye coordination of tactile learners is quite sharp; a strong sense of timing is one of their special characteristics.
- Curiosity and interest in exploring their surroundings are amongst the important features of kinesthetic learners’ personality. In the childhood, kinethetic learners are inclined towards craft works like making paper airplanes and many such things.
- These people can’t help but take frequent breaks while reading. The tactile learners have a habit of lying down while studying.
- The kinesthetic learners are inclined towards touching people while they speak with them.
Having a coach for these students can be really helpful. The coach not only teaches them stuff, but also acts as a support system in difficult times. Coaches help students in setting appropriate goals, taking into account their specific needs. In short, the coach helps such students to stay on track.
How to Teach Kinesthetic Learners
The teaching process and methods for kinesthetic learners should include activities which provide them with hands-on experience. The following teaching methods can be useful.
- The kinesthetic learners should be allowed to draw, paint, sculpt and do many such things which help channelize their energy.
- Kinesthetic learners have good observations skills which help them in seeing a particular thing and trying it out. Teaching efforts for such students need to be taken in this direction.
- For children who have just started learning alphabets, the use of magnetic letters or letter tiles is recommended. Board games, spelling games and other such interesting activities need to be incorporated in the teaching process.
- For teaching numbers and related concepts, one should make use of monkey bars. Using such tools gives them a feel of exploring things. Tapping/clapping out the letter and numbers that are taught should help in memorizing them quite easily.
- Kinesthetic learners should be encouraged to write on a regular basis. This activity involves movements and it also helps in repeating things being taught. Learning process of these students is greatly benefited from this activity.
- Engaging these students in laboratory work is necessary, because it provides them with hands-on experience of concepts being learned during classroom sessions.
Kinesthetic Learners Tips
The following study tips for kinesthetic learners should prove to be useful.
- The knowledge of past experiences/learning is used by kinesthetic learners for the trial and error activities they undertake. These type of learners need to experiment constantly with what they are doing. It helps minimize the mistakes of past.
- The tools like flow charts, maps and such visual things can help kinesthetic learners in grasping the concepts quickly. However, it would be important to note that the process of creating such graphs, flow charts and drawings is useful and not the later part of studying them.
- Online learning is better suited for kinesthetic learners than others. Of course they have to do a lot of reading while studying online. However, the interactive tools available online should encourage them to ‘go’ (proactively) for the learning activities, rather than sit back and absorb things that are taught in classrooms.
The facts about kinesthetic learners presented in the article should help in knowing about them from various angles. Behavioral patterns of kinesthetic learners and the capabilities they possess are understood with the information given above.
By Shashank Nakate
Published: 5/28/2010
Source:Â http://www.buzzle.com/articles/kinesthetic-learners.html