John T. Bruer, one of the most knowledgeable and vocal critics of the interpretations based on brain-based research, supports the need of educators to know more about how the brain processes information. To the extent that brain-based educators recipe for school and classroom change is well grounded in this behavioral research, their message is valuable. Individuals learn in different ways. The current structure of education institutions and classrooms do not necessarily support multiple ways of learning and processing information. The ancient debate of nurture versus nature is alive and well in this interpretation of the brain-based and related research.
Researchers agree that environmental factors do make a difference.
Many of these studies point to nutrition and its effect on learning from a biological and psychological position. It should be realized at this point that for the nine months of intrauterine life and for a short but undetermined postnatal period, brain growth and development will be largely genetically determined. Environmental factors are the key ingredients of optimal learning. For example, studies point to the effects of stress on learning. When we feel stressed, our adrenal glands release a peptide called cortisol.