The New Science of Learning: How to Learn in Harmony With Your Brain - Softcover

Doyle, Terry; Zakrajsek, Todd D.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1620360098 ISBN 13: 9781620360095

Publisher: Stylus Publishing, 2013

Synopsis

Learning to learn is the key skill for tomorrow. This breakthrough book builds the foundation every student needs, from freshman orientation to graduate school. Recent advances in brain science show that most students' learning strategies are highly inefficient, ineffective or just plain wrong. While all learning requires effort, better learning does not require more effort, but rather effectively aligning how the brain naturally learns with the demands of your studies. This book shows you what is involved in learning new material, how the human brain processes new information, and what it takes for that information to stick with you even after the test. Taking a small amount of time to read and act upon the material in this book will prove to be one of the best decisions you can make as a learner. What you discover will change the way you learn in college and will be helpful in your personal and professional life. You live in a world where you will have to be a lifelong learner, constantly updating your skills and changing jobs to compete in the global marketplace. Most college students today will have as many as 10-14 different jobs by age 38. Learning how to learn in harmony with your brain is crucial to your long-term success. This succinct book explains straightforward strategies for changing how you prepare to learn, engage with your course material, and set about improving recall of newly learned material whenever you need it. This is not another book about study skills and time management strategies, but instead an easy-to-read description of the research about how the human brain learns in a way that you can put into practice right away. Did you know neuroscientists have shown that memories are made while you sleep, and by studying right before sleeping you can make stronger memories for your information? In this book the authors explain the role that sleep, exercise and your senses play in learning; how memory works and what makes the brain pay attention;

About this title

Review

"This is a path-breaking book. Faculties have been learning about how the mind works, and this book spreads the message to students, who need it just as much. More sophisticated and empirically grounded than any study skills manual, this book addresses all the major research findings on how the human brain learns. And it does so using language and examples that students can easily understand and immediately apply to enhance their attention, depth of processing, retention, retrieval, and far-transfer abilities. Plus, each chapter ends with excellent summaries and scholarly references. It deserves to be required reading for all college students--really, anyone interested in learning."--Linda B. Nilson, Director, Office of Teaching Effectiveness and Innovation

"This book is a must-read for students who want time to 'have a life' while also being able to improve the way they learn.Too frequently, students are left on their own to navigate through a variety of study and learning strategies which are often not based on brain research.

Neuroscientists know so much about how the brain learns best. Unfortunately, they do not usually present their discoveries to those involved with teaching and neither instructors nor students have the time to sift through the voluminous amount of neuroscientific research currently available. Fortunately, Terry and Todd have done the sifting for you.

This book highlights and summarizes some of the most recent and impactful insights for learning and memory. In particular, it helps students to better understand a learner centered approach to teaching and learning, a movement which is slowly becoming the norm in higher education. It is not only packed with practical applications of current brain research but also describes why the application of these skills and strategies work in light of the brain's design. You don't want to miss being a part of this revolutionary approach to learning!"-- (04/01/2013)

About the Author

Terry Doyle is the Chief Instructor for Faculty Development and Coordinator of the New Faculty Transition Program for the Faculty Center for Teaching & Learning at Ferris State University, USA.

Todd Zakrajsek is an Associate Professor in the Department of Family Medicine at UNC-Chapel Hill, USA, and Executive Director of the Academy of Educators in the School of Medicine.

Edition details

• Publisher: Stylus Publishing
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 1620360098
• ISBN 13: 9781620360095
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 136