The Rule of Four, Executive Function and Neural Exercises

• Main Author: Russell Jay Hendel
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: International Institute of Informatics and Cybernetics 2015-08-01
• Series: Journal of Systemics, Cybernetics and Informatics
• Subjects: cybernetics; executive function; multi-dimensional processing; rule of four; Calculus; literary analysis; Chess; Tic-Tac-Toe; neural exercise
• Online Access: http://www.iiisci.org/Journal/CV$/sci/pdfs/EA834CL15.pdf

Deborah Hughes-Hallet has made many significant contributions to Calculus pedagogy. Among the tools she has introduced is the <i>rule of four</i>, which requires successful pedagogy to simultaneously address four approaches to each course concept, <i>verbal, graphical, algebraic and numeric. </i>We explore examples of this <i>rule of X approach </i>in other disciplines: i) Literary analysis is enhanced through the <i>rule of two, </i>a simultaneous approach of grammar and literary analysis; ii) Actuarial mathematics requires a <i>rule of six, </i>a simultaneous approach of <i>verbal, graphical, algebraic, calculator, modules, and English conventions; </i>(iii) Masters of Tic-Tac-Toe and Chess use a <i>rule of two</i>, simultaneously approaching the game <i>positionally and combinatorically. </i>We offer a unified and deep analysis of the <i>rule of X approach </i>by relating it to executive function, the area of the brain responsible for organizing and synthesizing multiple brain areas. We conclude the paper with an illustration of classroom activities that strengthen executive function and improve pedagogy. Our results are content independent, depending exclusively on paths of information flow, and consequently, our analysis is cybernetic in flavor [1].<br><br> [1] American Society of Cybernetics, www.asc-cybernetics.org/