Vera Birkenbihl on brain-friendly teaching and learning
Vera Birkenbihl on brain-friendly teaching and learning

Vera Birkenbihl on brain-friendly teaching and learning

Vera F. Birkenbihls (1946 – 2011) shaped the vision of brain-friendly teaching and learning with her life’s work. Her main focus was brain management, i.e., sustainable thinking, teaching, and learning. With her methods, she shaped an educational culture that focused on the functioning of the brain.

As early as the 1990s, she addressed the importance of brain-friendly strategies in her seminars, inspired by the research work of Elisabeth Loftus and Daniel Schacter. The application of neuro-strategies in business was also a central theme of her lectures. She combined scientific findings with practical solutions that are inspiring both in an educational context and in companies.

‘So school gave me the feeling of being pretty ‘stupid’, while I experienced the opposite outside of school.’ – Vera F. Birkenbihl

Birkenbihl herself failed because of the traditional school system, which relied on rigid memorisation. This failure became the driving force behind her tireless commitment to developing innovative approaches. In her book entitled “Straw in the Head?”, she describes her methods and encourages people to rethink education in a more brain-friendly way, she describes her methods and encourages people to rethink education in a more brain-friendly way. Her concepts, which focus on active understanding rather than mere cramming, were initially recognised in the business world and later increasingly in teacher training, particularly in Austria and Switzerland. This is because teachers also need to better understand the aspects of learning in order to be able to integrate them into their lessons. Does your work still meet with reservations in the German school system?

Central aspects of brain-orientated learning according to Birkenbihl

Birkenbihl questions conventional learning methods as they run counter to the way the brain works. Instead, she advocates an approach that is based on the neurophysiological mechanisms of the brain. This not only makes learning and teaching easier, but also more sustainable.

  • Understanding instead of memorising: Brain-friendly learning means understanding and applying information instead of mechanically learning it by heart.
  • Utilise neuroscientific findings: Modern findings in neurophysiology (brain research) show how effective passive listening is in language learning, for example.
  • Practical relevance and application-orientation: Theoretical information is reinforced in practice through exercises and experiments. Birkenbihl recommends corresponding exercises in her books.
  • Holistic learning: Learning is a multi-layered process. Emotional, social and cognitive aspects are given equal consideration.
  • Motivation as the key: Birkenbihl attaches great importance to awakening the intrinsic curiosity of learners and creating a positive learning environment.

Impulses for adult education and lifelong learning

Birkenbihl’s principles are universal and are very well suited to adult education. Here, complex content must be conveyed in an understandable and practical way. The consideration of neurophysiological mechanisms of the brain and the application of motivating and practice-orientated learning methods help adults to learn with joy and success throughout their lives and to achieve their individual learning goals.

‘Birkenbihl’s methods – flexible and motivating – make it possible for people of all ages to learn with joy and success.’

In adult education and lifelong learning, the focus is often on the specific usability of what has been learnt. Birkenbihl’s approach, which focusses on the practical applicability of knowledge, meets this need. The learning needs and pace of adults vary greatly. Birkenbihl’s methods can be flexibly adapted to the individual needs of learners and enable self-directed learning.

  • Mnemonics: Memory techniques that help retain facts over the long term.
  • Passive listening: This method is particularly suitable for adults with little time to learn languages in a fun way.

The legacy of an educational visionary

Birkenbihl’s brain-friendly approach not only offers new perspectives for schools and adult education, but also inspires other areas such as design thinking. She was convinced that everyone can learn with the right method and that failures are due to the wrong teaching method. Her four steps to successful language learning are still relevant today. Whether in workshops, seminars or personal development – her approach enables learning that not only works, but also inspires.

‘Let people learn in a way that is FUN – PLAYFUL’ – Vera F. Birkenbihl

Birkenbihl’s methods were initially recognised in the business world. Teachers were initially sceptical about them – often arguing that school was ‘different’. However, her book ‘Stroh im Kopf’, which has been revised and updated several times, proves the opposite: learning can and should be fun.

Anyone reading Birkenbihl will come across an innovative approach that turns learning into a personal rendezvous with knowledge. Let us be inspired by her legacy!

Here two book recommendations of Vera F. Birkenbihl:

  • How learning succeeds – With 17 concrete methods, tricks and learning games (2024)
  • Straw in the head? From brain owner to brain user (2013)