Learning and memory in the brain: a guide for teachers

This course provides a guided tour through the brain, looking at the changes that occur on a cellular level when we learn new information or store a memory. Using research from neuroscience and psychology, we will look at the process of storing long-term memories, and how you can help your students do this effectively. We will also examine the way the brain changes from birth to adulthood, and how these affect the way we learn and remember information. We will explore how teaching to a child’s developmental stage can benefit students and teachers. Then, we will dive into neurodiversity in the classroom, covering the current understanding of autism, dyslexia, ADHD and other cognitive differences, and how best to support these pupils. Throughout the course, we will discuss how to apply this learning to your own classroom, and what the evidence says about the best ways to teach. By understanding more about the way memories are stored and recalled, we can explore different ways you can support your students to learn efficiently, so the memories last a lifetime, not just until the exam. 36

• What happens in the brain when we learn.
• What psychological studies have taught us about learning & memory, and their limits.
• How the brain changes throughout infancy, childhood & adolescence.
• How we can use this understanding to improve teaching and learning
• What teaching methods are supported by the science
• How best to understand and support neurodiverse students