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Sousa, D. A. (2003). How the Gifted Brain Learns. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press, (ix + 289 pp., $34.95 pb, ISBN 0-7619-3829)
In his third text addressing how the brain learns, David Sousa relates the research findings of brain imaging to recent literature and research in gifted education. Sousa established his reputation as a prominent consultant in brain-based learning throughout the United States, educating teachers about how to alter instructional practices to match the learning processes of students based on research from studies in neuroscience. How the Gifted Brain Learns follows a similar format initiated in How the Brain Learns, and duplicated in How the Special Needs Brain Learns. Each of the texts presents information about regions and components of the brain, the function of neurotransmitters in facilitating learning, and the types of brain imaging technologies used to examine brain functions.
The intended audience for this text is K-12 educators with little or no knowledge of gifted education and limited prior knowledge of brain imaging research. Educators familiar with Souza's previous two texts will find little, if any, new information about brain based learning, as the information provided appears to be similar to that found in these previous texts. While the title suggests that research about the gifted brain and how it learns will be addressed from a neuroimaging standpoint, no research is included regarding neuroimaging technologies and the gifted brain. A general discussion of the brain, its functions, and implications for learning is offered, but the studies included about the brain, for...