Neuroscience for Learning and Development: How to Apply Neuroscience and Psychology for Improved Learning and Training

Praise for Neuroscience for Learning and Development
Title Page
Copyright Page
Contents
Preface to the third edition
Acknowledgements
01 Why neuroscience and learning are good companions
Do you know…?
Your invitation to come on a journey
Who you are as the reader
Why this book has been written now
The reasons I’m interested in the neuroscience of learning
The definition of neuroscience for this book
What you’ll find on this journey
A start on the ‘How can I…?’
So what? – takeaway ideas to experiment with
How to navigate this book
Summary
References and further reading
02 The science of your brain
When was your last eureka moment?
Building blocks
What’s the structure?
The brain’s messengers – neurotransmitters and hormones
What else is going on in your brain?
What are some of the tools of neuroscience?
Other definitions
So what? – takeaway
Summary
References and further reading
03 What to do when someone says ‘neuroscience says…’
Sometimes things aren’t all they seem
Overview
What you’ll cover in this chapter
Perils of research
Six questions to ask when someone says ‘research shows’
Summary
References and further reading
04 The science of learning
Thinking about yourself while learning can inhibit your performance
Overview
What learning isn’t
What learning is
Some of the biology that’s useful
Types of learning
Working with a model of learning
Summary
References and further reading
05 Motivating learners from curiosity to persistence
‘When you’re smiling…’
Motivated learners
Brain states
More practical steps to motivation
Other influences on people’s beliefs about learning – negative and positive
Motivating yourself
Summary
References and further reading
06 Use your sense
Getting information from the outside world and into your head
Learning through your senses
Real-world challenges
How the senses work
Summary
References and further reading
07 Attention, learning and why Goldilocks deserves recognition
Look over there!
What attention is and why you need it in learning
System of attention
Attention span
Attention from inside and outside
Paralysis by presentation
Summary
References and further reading
08 Making learning meaningful and valuing intelligence
Beautiful mathematics
The disruptive element in the classroom
Intelligence and learning
Summary
References and further reading
09 Meaningful memories
I’ve never met you before, have I?
What is memory?
Types of memories
How you process memories
How to help your learners remember
Summary
References and further reading
10 Testing, experimenting, habits and practice
Punish the correct answer
Why it’s important to test, experiment and practise while learning
How to test
Why sometimes testing gets in the way of learning
Tests of learning
Summary
References and further reading
11 Review and reflect to retain
The Truly Terrible Training Course
Why you need to review and take action – what it feels like when you don’t
Reviewing – the story of a beautiful relationship
How to build the relationship
How and when to review learning
Who else needs to be involved?
Top Tips
Summary
References and further reading
12 Stickier stories and food for thought
What you’ll cover in this chapter
Stickier stories
Language and learning
While we’re talking about the environment
Being exploratory, playful and experimental
Musically speaking
Summary
References and further reading
13 Sleep and learning
A dangerous activity
Overview – what you’ll cover
What is sleep?
Stages of sleep
Anatomy of sleep
Chemistry of sleep
Lack of sleep and learning
Common challenges
What can you do?
Summary
References and further reading
14 Learning to learn
How is AI teaching us how humans learn to learn?
Introduction
Why do we need to learn to learn?
Pull rather than push
It’s sometimes hard to learn on your own
What is learning to learn?
What does the science say about learning to learn?
Traps to avoid in learning to learn
L&D’s role in learning to learn
GEARing up to learn to learn
Last thoughts
References and further reading
15 Your brain and digital learning
The curious worlds of digital and learning
What’s coming up?
What is digital learning?
Does digital learning affect our brains?
Digital social learning
Virtual reality learning – how real is it?
Features of the digital world that don’t help learning
More features of the digital world that help learning
Top trumps for designing and delivering in a digital world
Summary
References and further reading
16 The future is already with us
Mindfulness
Overview
The quantum brain
Computational neuroscience
Taking pills to make you smarter
Summary
References and further reading
17 The end of this journey and the start of more
Managing Tube journeys
What you’ll find in this final chapter
A race through a review
Some challenges of embracing neuroscience into your practice
Benefits of applying practical ideas from neuroscience
Top ideas to take away
Your call to action
The end of this particular journey
Summary
References and further reading
Answers to Questions in Chapter 9
Index