Enhanced Learning And Teaching Via Neuroscience

Neuroscience contributes to the basic understanding of the neural mechanisms underlying human development and learning. Educational neuroscience is an interdisciplinary research field that seeks to translate research findings on neural mechanisms of learning to educational practice and policy and to understand the effects of education on the brain. It is an emerging multidisciplinary field where the aim is to link basic research in neuroscience, psychology, and cognitive science, with educational technology. Educational neuroscience is often associated with the ‘science’ of learning and encompasses a broad range of scientific disciplines, from basic neuroscience to cognitive psychology to computer science to social theory. It is an interdisciplinary research field that seeks to translate research findings on neural mechanisms of learning to educational practice and policy and to understand the effects of education on the brain. Neuroscience research usually focuses only on learning, but there is a developing subfield within neuroscience called “Mind, Brain and Education” (MBE) that attempts to link research with teaching. MBE researchers consider how to take advantage of the natural human attention span, how to use studies about memory systems to inform lesson planning, and how to use research on the role of emotions in learning. In neuroscience research, progress has been extraordinary, including advances in both understanding and technology. Scientists from a wide range of disciplines are being attracted to the challenge of understanding the brain. In spite of discoveries regarding the structure of the brain, we still do not understand how the nervous system allows us to see, hear, learn, remember, and plan certain actions. Educators and schools around the globe are increasingly relying on the knowledge, techniques, and programs developed based on a new understanding of how our brains work. This knowledge is being applied to the classroom. A growing amount of attention is being paid to neuroscience and how the results of empirical research may be used to help individuals learn more effectively. In this Research Topic, academic scientists, researchers, and scholars will share their experiences and research results on all aspects of brain-based learning and educational neuroscience. Furthermore, it provides a premier interdisciplinary platform for researchers, practitioners, and educators to present the latest developments, trends, and concerns. In addition, it discusses practical challenges encountered and solutions adopted in the field of Educational Neuroscience. The focus of this Research Topic is to bring together academic scientists, researchers, and scholars to exchange and share their experiences and research findings related to brain-based learning and educational neuroscience. Researchers, practitioners, and educators will also be able to present and discuss the newest innovations, trends, and concerns. This will include practical challenges encountered and solutions adopted in Educational Neuroscience as well as in related fields. All original and unpublished papers describing conceptual, constructive, empirical, experimental, or theoretical work in any area of Brain Based Learning and Educational Neuroscience or studies that explore the intersections between neuroscience, psychology, and education are highly encouraged. Aspects, topics, and critical issues of interest include, but are not limited to: neuroscience applications in enhanced-learning, how students learn mathematics and language, personal motivation, social and emotional learning, motivation, the biology of learning, brain functions and information processing, and many others.

This practical resource draws on the best of neuroscience to inform decision-making about digital learning. We live in unprecedented times that have pushed schools to make many decisions that have been postponed for years. For the first time since the inception of public education, teachers have been invited to redesign the learning landscape by integrating an intelligent selection of digital educational resources and changing pedagogical approaches based on information from the learning sciences. This handbook will help teachers make the most of this opportunity by showing them how to use digital tools to differentiate learning, employ alternative options to standardized testing, personalize learning, prioritize social-emotional skills, and inspire students to think more critically. The author identifies some gems in quality teaching that are amplified in online contexts, including 40 evidence-informed pedagogies from the learning sciences. This book will help all educators move online teaching and learning to new levels of confidence and success. Book Features: Provides quick references to key planning tools like decision-trees, graphics, app recommendations, and step-by-step directions to help teachers create their own online learning courses.Guides teachers through a 12-step model for instructional design that meets both national and international standards.Shows educators how to use an all-new Digital Resource Taxonomy to select resources, and how to research and keep them up to date.Explains why good instructional design and educational technology are complementary with best practices in learning sciences like Mind, Brain, and Education Science.Shares ways teachers can leverage technology to create more time for the personalized aspects of learning. Shows educators how to design online courses with tools that let all students begin at their own starting points and how to differentiate homework.Offers evidence-informed pedagogies to make online intimate and authentic for students.

A practical, classroom-oriented guide to best-practice teaching. Learning specialist Leslie Hart once wrote that designing educational experiences without knowledge of the brain is like designing a glove without knowledge of the hand. Making Classrooms Better takes this concept a step further, building from general knowledge of brain-based education science and current educational research to offer specific suggestions for how teachers can improve student learning outcomes. Covering a range of subjects, from creating an optimal classroom climate to maximizing metacognitive skill development, this well-researched, state-of-the-art guide is an essential resource for highly effective practices that teachers, administrators, and curriculum planners can easily use. The first half of the book provides a practical overview of teaching from a Mind, Brain, and Education perspective through an understanding of the intersection of the fields of neuroscience, psychology, and pedagogy. The second half shares 50 evidence-based classroom “best practices” that have a proven positive impact on student learning outcomes and explains why they work.

The Brain-Based Classroom translates findings from educational neuroscience into a new paradigm of practices suitable for any teacher. The human brain is a site of spectacular capacity for joy, motivation, and personal satisfaction, but how can educators harness its potential to help children reach truly fulfilling goals? Using this innovative collection of brain-centric strategies, teachers can transform their classrooms into deep learning spaces that support their students through self-regulation and mindset shifts. These fresh insights will help teachers resolve classroom management issues, prevent crises and disruptive behaviors, and center social-emotional learning and restorative practices.

Everything teachers need to know about the brain and how we really learn - and what that suggests for how they should teach. Everyone is curious about the brain ? including your learners! There is a great deal of neuroscience research about the brain and learning that supports what we already know about effective teaching and learning, as well as providing additional knowledge about learning, memory and the classroom environment that can help teachers to become even more confident and effective in the work they do with children and learners. In this book you will find relevant and up-to-date information from two neuroscientists and a leading education writer who is also an advanced skills teacher, working together to unpack, in an easy-to-read and instantly useable way, things that will help your learners to learn better.

This book offers a definitive, scientifically grounded guide for better teaching and learning practices. Drawing from thousands of documents and the opinions of recognized experts worldwide, it explains in straight talk the new Mind, Brain, and Education Science—a field that has grown out of the intersection of neuroscience, education, and psychology. While parents and teachers are often bombarded with promises of "a better brain," this book distinguishes true, applicable neuroscience from the popular neuromyths that have gained currency in education. Each instructional guideline presented in the book is accompanied by real-life classroom examples to help teachers envision the direct application of the information in their own schools. The authors offer essential tools for evaluating new information as it flows from research and adds to what we know. Written by a teacher for teachers, this easy-to-use resource: Documents the findings of the top experts in the field of neuroscience, psychology, and education.Addresses the confusion around the misuse of concepts in brain-based education.Applies well-substantiated findings about the brain to classroom practice and teaching. “Up to this point, there has been little consensus among researchers and educators as to the potential applications of brain research to educational policies and practices. Understanding this, Tokuhama used a Delphi technique to poll recognized experts in both education and neuroscience to gain agreement as to what, in this newly emerging field, is well established, what is probably true, what is intelligent speculation, and what are ‘neuromyths.’ This seminal book has the potential to change the way we think about teaching and learning.” —From the Foreword by Pat Wolfe, educational consultant, Mind Matters, Inc. “This is not only an excellent guide for teachers and a most-needed review of the cutting-edge research on neuroeducation, but also a model of pedagogy. The author guides readers step-by-step in the fascinating exploration of the new transdisciplinary field called MBE—Mind, Brain and Education Science. I recommend this book to every teacher. It will clarify many issues and promote many educational initiatives.” —Antonio M. Battro, M.D., President of IMBES, International Mind, Brain and Education Society “Tracey Tokuhama-Espinosa has written a highly accessible, extraordinarily well-documented compilation of essential information for all educators. This breakthrough book guides informed decision-making using the best science has to offer to return joy and authentic learning to our classrooms.” —Judy Willis, M.D., M.Ed., neurologist, middle-school teacher, author, and renowned speaker on brain-based education “A fascinating review of state-of-the-art research. It does more than just debunk myths, it also points toward tried-and-true tenets and principles of education. Written with clarity, freshness, and a sense of urgency, this is a book that every educator—and everyone who cares about children—should read.” —Craig Pohlman, author of How Can My Kid Succeed in School? and Revealing Minds

The field of educational neuroscience uses new insights about the neural mechanisms of learning to improve educational practices and outcomes. The first volume to bring together the latest knowledge on the development of educational neuroscience from a life-span perspective, this important text offers state of the art, authoritative research findings in educational neuroscience before providing evidence-based recommendations for classroom practice. Thomas, Mareschal, Dumontheil, and the team of expert international contributors assembled in this volume thoroughly explore four main themes throughout the book. The first theme is individual differences, or what makes children perform better or worse in the classroom. The second theme is the nature of individual differences at different stages in development, from early years into adulthood. The third theme addresses cognitive enhancement, summarizing research that has investigated activities that might give general benefits to cognition. And the fourth theme considers the translation of research findings into classroom practices, discussing broader ethical issues raised by educational neuroscience, and what teachers need to know about neuroscience to enhance their day-to-day practice. Specific topics explored include neuropsychological perspectives on socioeconomic disparities in educational achievement, reading difficulties, phonological skills, executive function, and emotional development. Educational Neuroscience is essential reading for researchers and graduate students of educational psychology, developmental science, developmental psychology, and cognitive psychology, especially those specializing in emotion regulation.

"At last, a book that meaningfully links the evidence that we have so far gained from cognitive neuroscience with an understanding of learning and education. This book avoids the usual pitfalls of over-stretched interpretations of the research findings and outdated assumptions about teaching and learning. It is a catalyst for bringing together the expertise and experience of professional educators with that of professional scientists in which Geake has expertly balanced accessibility and rigour." Professor Martin Westwell, Director, Flinders Centre for Science Education in the 21st Century, Flinders University, Australia Within education there is a growing interest in neuroscience research and what it can teach us. This book focuses on what neuroscience means for education professionals - in key areas such as learning, memory, intelligence and motivation - and addresses questions such as: How does the brain enable us to learn? Why do some children have learning difficulties, such as ADHD or dyslexia? How can actual scientific research be applied to pedagogy and curriculum design Furthermore, the book explores common 'brain based' learning schemes and exposes the misunderstandings on which these are often based. The author, both an experienced teacher and cognitive neuroscientist, offers teachers advice on how neuroscience can help them in their own teaching. Each chapter includes practical classroom examples and case studies based on real life teaching experiences. This friendly book is jargon-free and no prior scientific knowledge is assumed of the reader. It is thought-provoking reading for practising teachers across all age ranges, trainee teachers, parents, head teachers, educational policymakers, academics and educational psychologists.