Neuroscience and Learning Resources
Web Sites
Brain Facts: www.brainfacts.org/
The Society for Neuroscience, Gatsby and Kavli Foundation all contribute to this website. You can find general information about neuroscience and “brain basics” as well as diseases and disorders of the brain. You might want to read about “Stress and Anxiety.” http://www.brainfacts.org/across-the-lifespan/stress-and-anxiety/
Dana Brain Foundation: http://www.dana.org/
This Dana Foundation supports brain research through grants, publications and educational programs. They have a section of the website for kids. Their “Brain in the News” (targeted at the general public) is a great way to keep current with new brain research. Check out the “Fear and the Brain” article!
Neuroscience for Kids: http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/neurok.html
This website is not just for kids; it’s for everyone who wants to learn about the brain. You can search the web site on the questions/answers page, and if your question is not answered on the website, you can email neuroscientist Dr. Eric Chudler (University of Washington) who will respond to your question. You can sign up for the monthly edition of Neuroscience for kids. There’s also a link to a 30 minute video “Brain Works” hosted by Eric Chudler, PhD.
3-D Brain Online: http://www.g2conline.org/2022
This very cool website lets you explore the structures of the brain in 3D. You can also download a free version of this app for the iPad, Android, or Windows phone. Search for “3D Brain.”
Article: “The Teen Brain: Still Under Construction”:
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/the-teen-brain-still-under-construction/index.shtml
Well-written overview from the National Institute of Mental Health on what we know about the unique stages of brain development in teenagers.
Article: “Teenage Brains” (National Geographic):
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2011/10/teenage-brains/dobbs-text/1
[Requires National Geographic subscription to access.] This article gives insight into why teens are volatile and vulnerable during adolescence. Every parent can relate to the examples cited in this article, and it helps to understand just why teens act the way they do. They can’t help it; their brains aren’t fully developed until they are in their early twenties!
Conn's Neuroscience and Learning Pinterest Feed
https://www.pinterest.com/connmcquinn/neuroscience-and-learning/
I am a link hoarder. I try to only pin quality resources. But there are a lot.
Books
Brain Rules, Second Edition, by John Medina. Still the best book for understanding practical ways to apply neuroscience to improve our learning and our lives. The 2014 edition is significantly updated.
Research-Based Strategies to Ignite Student Learning, by Dr. Judy Willis. Judy’s writing is just right for parents and teachers to understand how learning happens and how the brain is designed to learn. You can also read many of her articles by going to her webpage at http://www.radteach.com/.
Five Big Ideas for Effective Teaching, by Donna Wilson and Marcus Conyers I like this book because it reveals the myths of closed mindset and exploits a kid’s potential through a solid understanding of Plasticity.
Teaching Students to Drive their Brains, by Donna Wilson and Marcus Conyers. This book is a follow-up to Five Big Ideas, and is a very practical book with strategies and activities to help develop student metacognition skills.
Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers (3rd edition), by Robert Sapolsky, Ph.D. This is a great read about the harmful impact of stress in the modern world.
Mindset, by Carol Dweck, Ph.D. Groundbreaking book on how our beliefs about our ability to learn directly influence our ability to learn.
Spark, by John Ratey, MD. Why exercise and play are critical for healthy brains.
The Invisible Classroom: Relationships, Neuroscience, and Mindfulness in School, by Kirke Olson. This book covers the critical importance of the emotional and relational foundations of learning, and strategies to make classrooms a place where students feel safe, connected, and successful.
Mindfulness for Teachers: Simple Skills for Peace and Productivity in the Classroom, by Patricia A. Jennings. This book is first about making sure you have the skills and techniques to deal with stress, and then how you can help your students.
Culturally Responsive Teaching and The Brain, by Zaretta Hammond. This is a powerful and practical look at how we can use neuroscience to understand and address the root causes of the opportunity gap.
The Writer's Journey, by Christopher Vogler. I reference this book in my Neuroscience of Story presentation. It's a must-read if you are interested in writing, storytelling, or just because you like to read a really interesting book!
Wired for Story, by Lisa Cron. My other highly-recommended book from Neuroscience of Story. Each chapter is built around a "brain secret," and would be a great resource in any secondary writing program (or science program).
Deep Work, by Cal Newport. Not directed at education, this book is a great exploration of doing deep work without distraction, and how important it is both from a neurological and productivity standpoint.
Social: Why Our Brains are Wired to Connect, by Matthew D. Lieberman. A great exploration of the neuroscience of how critical our social and emotional connections are to our well being. Not specifically written for educators, the information is still completely relevant to the work we do.
Design Thinking Resources
Virtual Crash Course in Design Thinking - The video that our activity was adapted from.
Kuhlthau Guided Inquiry Design Process - This framework developed by Carol Kuhthau, Leslie Maniotes, and Ann Caspari is tied into the Information Search Process, and provides a great bridge between Makerspace and library science.
International Baccalaureate Design Cycle - This diagram is an adaptation of the curriculum's cycle by teacher Stephen Taylor.
Nueva School Design Thinking - The design thinking model used by the Nueva School.
Design Thinking for Educators - A free 81-page ebook from the famous design firm IDEO on how to use Design Thinking to improve our schools (and have more fun). The process they describe would also be a great approach for students, and they have a template of a design notebook that would work really well in a Makerspace setting. The linked site gives an overview of the book and has free downloads of the ebook and notebook.
Five Step Framework for Design Thinking Infographic
Kuhlthau Guided Inquiry Design Process - This framework developed by Carol Kuhthau, Leslie Maniotes, and Ann Caspari is tied into the Information Search Process, and provides a great bridge between Makerspace and library science.
International Baccalaureate Design Cycle - This diagram is an adaptation of the curriculum's cycle by teacher Stephen Taylor.
Nueva School Design Thinking - The design thinking model used by the Nueva School.
Design Thinking for Educators - A free 81-page ebook from the famous design firm IDEO on how to use Design Thinking to improve our schools (and have more fun). The process they describe would also be a great approach for students, and they have a template of a design notebook that would work really well in a Makerspace setting. The linked site gives an overview of the book and has free downloads of the ebook and notebook.
Five Step Framework for Design Thinking Infographic