The premise of brain-based learning is that learning is constructed, not received, and is an inside-out experience. Instructors can enhance student learning by connecting new material to materials students already know to create an experience.
"Anything that captures students' attention and gets their minds engaged, has the potential to produce learning. If there is no attention and no engagement, there will be no learning" (Dr. Patricia Wolfe, 1996).
"Learning is an active, constructive process that is contextual: New knowledge is acquired in relation to previous knowledge; information becomes meaningful when it is presented in some type of framework" (Barbara Gross Davis).
These two quotations give a succinct summary of brain-based learning.
For a quick grounding in the subject please read Brain-based Learning Basics.
Visit the ASCD site for Brain-based learning articles and resources.