Sophisticated learners are self-directed learners, which must be taught and developed in the classroom. In this module teachers learn the core tenets of a self-directed learner: understanding key aspects of the functional architecture of human learning; effective strategies and techniques for learning; and how students can self-monitor and control their own learning.

Learn how to foster positive emotions and behaviors that increase student engagement, effort and learning outcomes. Develop a better understanding of the interdependencies between cognition, emotion and behaviors to better understand your students root causes.

In this module we explore the role of negative and positive emotions in learning with tools to minimize those that hinder the process while maximizing those that enable successful learning.

In the majority of classrooms, student engagement decreases with every year of schooling. Yet, student learning requires their engagement and motivation. What do you see as the biggest barrier(s) to motivation for students? What is currently in place in your classroom or at your institution as a whole to support learner engagement and motivation?
Learn what research reveals about the most effective ways for teachers to foster student motivation and engagement in the classroom.

Attention is a core cognitive skill that plays a critical role in learning. While students are often told to “pay attention,” they are rarely taught how. Learn how to capture, keep, and gauge your students’ attention.

Processing speed refers to a learner’s ability to perceive, integrate, and respond to visual, auditory, or motor information. Students with both fast and slow processing speeds benefit from support. Learn how to discern and tailor your teaching to accommodate variations in processing speeds within your classroom.

It is difficult to identify a learning task that does not rely on working memory, the ability to mentally juggle information. In fact, working memory is often referred to as a gateway to storing knowledge. Learn about working memory’s natural limitations in order to ensure learning success for your students.

What is Executive Function and how does it affect learning? How common is comorbidity with other learning struggles such as ADHD, and processing skills? Learn a framework for understanding the root causes and symptoms of Executive Dysfunction, including ideas and insights regarding what can and should be done to help learners.

The vast majority of students rely on ineffective strategies to learn resulting in superficial learning. In the first part of Teach for Mastery, learn how to foster your students ability to acquire knowledge using proven techniques that facilitate the encoding of new information..

Traditional instruction is focused on getting information into students’ brains. However, compelling research has shown that pulling information out of the brain enhances learning. In the second part of Teach for Mastery, learn how to incorporate retrieval practice into your teaching.

Teaching metacognitive reflection is among one of the most effective strategies to accelerate student achievement. Learn how to provide students with practical strategies that gradually foster metacognitive awareness and create the foundation for learning independently, effectively and efficiently.

Research suggests effective feedback, formative assessments and peer-based learning are among the most effective ways a student can learn information. Learn how to apply formative assessments, feedback and peer-based learning from an expert on the science of learning as well as the application of these concepts.

Learning is a cognitive process, and every classroom is cognitively diverse. While labeling students hinders their performance, understanding their cognitive profile and how they learn, enables you to be a more effective teacher. Learn how to recognize common symptoms among students with specific learning difficulties, including processing disorders, twice exceptional (gifted students with learning disabilities).

More importantly, in this module you will learn how to map learning difficulties to cognitive skills as well as refine your approach to how you teach them through appropriate strategies to engage your students’ gifts and support their areas of difficulty.