Genetically Tailored Instruction Improves Songbird Learning

Ellyn Paris 

AP Biology 

9/24/19

Current Event 3

University of California - San Francisco. "Genetically tailored instruction improves songbird learning: Results lend support to arguments for 'personalized education' in classrooms, researchers say." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 18 September 2019. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/09/190918112428.htm>.

This article discusses the findings of a research experiment done by UC San Francisco on birds and their song-learning abilities. The experiment was done to understand how genes affect learning potential, but studying this using human subjects is very complex, therefore birds were used. A 2018 study conducted by David Mets and Michael Brainards determined that the way that Bengalese finches perform their songs is influenced by genetics. Birds whose ancestors sang at slow tempos are unable to learn songs that are average or high tempo, and vice versa. However, when the computer “tutoring” program that was used to teach birds a song was tailored to what the finches were genetically built to sing, the subjects learned their songs effectively. The article connects this with the fact that individuals learn differently, therefore a standardized school system cannot be beneficial for all. Since genetic information is different for each person, one style of education is unable to suit all students. After studying finches’ ability to learn different tempo songs according to their genetic information, Brainard and Mets wish to determine the specific genetic variants that keep the finches who are predisposed to perform songs at a certain tempo from performing at another tempo. In doing this, the scientists wish to add to the working studies of how genes and experience influence an animal’s individuality.

As mentioned above, this study connects to how each individual is predisposed to learn a certain way. While the experiments focused on Bengalese finches, the results can be applied to human students across the globe. One style of teaching might help one part of the population, but will not be beneficial to another. Since each individual learns differently, it is important to have personalized teaching styles that consider all types of students. The style of education taught in most classrooms is problematic, since while some students may thrive under this teaching method, many are struggling and experience anxiety, extreme stress, and other concerning symptoms. Our society must find a way to teach their children in a better and more personalized way.

The article was very interesting, and was written with well chosen words and an organized structure. At the end of the article, the author included what the scientists who conducted the study wish to do in the future. I found this to be a good idea because it allows the reader to better understand the purpose of the study and what to expect from Mets and Brainard in the future. The article mentioned in the beginning the connection between the experiments on the birds and what this means for human students, but did not go further into this topic throughout the article. I believe this is a flaw that should be fixed, since the underlying message was extremely important and should have been discussed more. In order to improve the article, I suggest the author includes more lines about what the study means for humans.