Sleep and learning
You don't need to be Editor-In-Chief to add or edit content to WikiDoc. You can begin to add to or edit text on this WikiDoc page by clicking on the edit button at the top of this page. Next enter or edit the information that you would like to appear here. Once you are done editing, scroll down and click the Save page button at the bottom of the page.
Links to specific articles can be found in the navigation box at the bottom of this article |
Many competing theories have been advanced to discover the possible connections between sleep and learning in humans. One theory is that sleep consolidates[1] and optimizes the layout of memories, though recent evidence suggests this may be restricted to explicit procedural memories[1].
Increased learning
Popular sayings such as "sleep on it" or "consult the pillow" reflect the notion that remolded memories produce new creative associations in the morning, and that often performance improves after a time-interval that included sleep[1]. Many studies demonstrate that a healthy sleep produces a significant learning dependent performance boost[1][1]. Healthy sleep must include the appropriate sequence and proportion of NREM and REM phases, which play a different role in memory consolidation-optimization process. In motor skill learning, an interval of sleep may be critical for the expression of performance gains; without sleep these gains will be delayed (Korman et al, 2003). However, several studies show that, in some conditions, time after training, even without sleep, may suffice for attaining significant performance boosts (Roth Ari-Even et al, 2005).
A study[1] has also found that after sleep there is an increased insight, that is, a sudden gain of explicit knowledge. Thus during sleep the representation of new memories are restructured.
Sleep in relation to school
Sleep has been directly linked to the grades of students. One in four U.S. high school students admits to falling asleep in class at least once a week.[1]. Consequently, results have shown that those who sleep less do poorly. In the United States sleep deprivation is common with students because almost all schools begin early in the morning and many of these students choose to stay up awake late into the night. As a result, students that should be getting between 8.5 and 9.25 hours of sleep, are getting only 7 hours.[1] Perhaps because of this sleep-deprivation, their grades lower and their concentration is impaired.
Other theories
Other researchers' theories on additional functions of sleep differ significantly. One older idea is the energy conservation theory. Others claim that REM sleep is needed to "refresh" the brain after NREM phase, or that REM is needed to prevent stasis of fluids in the eye.
See also
References
External links
- "Study puts us one step closer to understanding the function of sleep" - from University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health
- "To sleep, perchance to learn" - from Nature
- "Birds May Refine Their Songs While Sleeping" - from Science
- "Study shows sleep helps improve memory" - from CNN
Articles on Sleep | |
|---|---|
| Sleep Stages | Rapid eye movement sleep • Beta wave sleep • Gamma wave sleep • Non-rapid eye movement sleep • Slow-wave sleep • Theta wave sleep • Delta wave sleep |
| Sleep disorders | Sleep deprivation • Insomnia • Parasomnia • Sleepwalking • Sleeptalking • Night terror • Dyssomnia • Hypersomnia • Narcolepsy • Sleep apnea • Ondine's curse • Nocturnal myoclonus • Circadian rhythm sleep disorder • Nocturia • Automatic behavior • Sleeping sickness |
| Benign Phenomena | Dream • Nightmare • Exploding head syndrome • Lucid dream • False awakening • Sleep paralysis • Hypnagogia • Hypnic jerk • Nocturnal emission • Somnolence |
| Other Sleep-related Topics | Bed bug • Sleep and learning • Snoring • Jet lag • Sleep debt • Power nap • Polyphasic sleep • Siesta • Bedtime • Bedtime story |
Acknowledgement and Attribution Regarding Sources of Content
Some of the initial content on this page may be incorporated in part from copyleft sources in the public domain including wikis such as Wikipedia and AskDrWiki. Drug information for patients came from the The National Library of Medicine. Infectious disease information may have come from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Differential Diagnoses are drawn from clinicians as well as an amalgamation of 3 sources: 1.The Disease Database; 2. Kahan, Scott, Smith, Ellen G. In A Page: Signs and Symptoms. Malden, Massachusetts: Blackwell Publishing, 2004:3; 3. Sailer, Christian, Wasner, Susanne. Differential Diagnosis Pocket. Hermosa Beach, CA: Borm Bruckmeir Publishing LLC, 2002:7 .
