Cognitive Science Strand
Cognitive science research has the ability to transform education and accelerate learning. The implications and applications range from primary, secondary, further and higher education, as well as mentoring and staff development. This strand, curated in partnership with InnerDrive, gathers together a range of experts that will explore the possibilities, challenges and limitations of cognitive science.
Thinking Creates Learning: The Essentials of Working Memory
If “learning” requires “thinking,” how does “thinking” work? To answer this question, this talk explores an essential cognitive function: working memory. Working memory allows students to connect new information to prior knowledge, and to reorganize knowledge into new ideas. When teachers understand working memory – its function, importance, and limitations – we can anticipate, recognize, and solve many problems that hinder learning. Lively and practical, this workshop uses research to make learning easier and teaching more effective.
Andrew Watson
President, Translate the Brain
You Explained It, But They Didn’t Retain It: Solutions from Cognitive Science
In this session, participants will explore how teachers can overcome common learning obstacles through practical and explicit teaching strategies based on how the mind learns. Using an example of conventional “unsticky” teaching, the presenter will name and model a variety of techniques that will make the material much stickier.
Zach Groshell
Teacher, Author, Coach
Studying With The Brain in Mind
How can we help all students learn and study as effectively as possible? What does the research actually say about multi-tasking, memory, sleep and managing stress and pressure? In this highly interactive session, Edward Watson will give lots of tips and strategies to ensure all your students are studying as effectively as possible
Edward Watson
Director, InnerDrive
Attention Contagion in the Classroom
Attention is the currency of learning. What we attend to, we have a chance of remembering. With this in mind, teachers and students should create learning environments that maximize the ability to attend to pertinent information while minimizing distractions that may steal attention. And, to that end, how are we influenced by others in the learning environment? Do the actions of one student potentially impair others’ ability to attend? Is attention and/or inattention contagious? This session looks at research on this topic and discusses how to best create a learning environment for all students.
Blake Harvard
AP Psychology Teacher
AI and student learning: The Good and the Bad
In this session Edward Watson will explore the evolving role of AI in education, highlighting both its potential benefits and risks for teaching and student learning. Drawing on some of the latest research on the subject he will delve into strategies that we should consider when seeking to improve teacher and student outcomes using AI.
Edward Watson
Director, InnerDrive