Uncommon Sense Teaching from Coursera

Do your students spend too much (or too little) time learning, with disappointing results? Do they procrastinate in their study because it’s boring and they’re easily distracted? Are you working to make your teaching even more inclusive? Uncommon Sense Teaching will give you practical new insights that will help you solve these goals and challenges, and many more.

This is like no other course on teaching—it weaves late-breaking insights from neuroscience with personal insights from the classroom to provide unexpected, yet practical, new approaches. You’ll discover how to bring out the best from all your students in today’s diverse teaching environment, where students often have a wide range of abilities.

Uncommon Sense Teaching will take your teaching to a higher level for whatever subjects you teach, whether math, physics, literature, dance, art, or anything else; and whether you are teaching K-12, university, business, vocational, or at home.

Join us today to move into the new era of education!

What's inside

Syllabus

Active Learning for All

This week’s material covers the deepest essence of how we learn—which can provide surprisingly helpful and practical insights for our teaching! When students are learning, ideas captured in students’ working memories are sent to long-term memory in the neocortex. One of our biggest challenges in learning is the diversity in size of learners’ working memory—that temporary holding place for new ideas we are thinking about. (We three instructors model these differences in working memory capacity, with Terry having high capacity, Barb low capacity, and Beth variable, depending on the material.) Some people can hold more information in working memory—these “racecar” learners might learn more quickly, but what they learn can go by in a blur—they can jump to conclusions and find it difficult to correct themselves when they make errors. “Hiker” learners with lesser capacity working memory may learn more slowly, but they can learn more deeply, and sometimes more creatively, as a consequence. They can also find it easier to be flexible and change their thinking when they are wrong. What this all means is that the different sizes of working memory can have their advantages and disadvantages. Scaffolded instruction is a key to being more inclusive, so we can reach all of our learners, not just the few who are easy to teach. We will also take a fresh view of active learning—those words, as you will discover, do not always mean what you think they mean!

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Examines how focal retention, working memory, and long-term memory relate to learning processes

Explores the role of procedural memory in learning skills and activities

Investigates the concept of scaffolding instruction and how it can enhance inclusivity in teaching

Applies active learning techniques in a practical and engaging manner

Provides strategies for overcoming procrastination and improving focus

Reviews summary

Neuroscience-backed strategies for effective teaching

According to learners, Uncommon Sense Teaching is a highly practical course that effectively bridges neuroscience insights with classroom experience. Students frequently highlight the engaging instructors and their ability to make complex ideas accessible. The course provides immediately applicable strategies for improving student engagement, addressing procrastination, and catering to different learning styles. Many praise the actionable techniques, especially related to active learning and understanding brain pathways. While some experienced educators found certain aspects foundational, the majority found it provided fresh perspectives and was transformative for their teaching practice.

Beneficial for new and experienced educators, though some content may be foundational.

"Good for both new and experienced teachers."

"My only minor critique is that some parts felt a bit introductory for someone with a background in cognitive psychology."

"I found the course interesting, but it felt a bit too basic for my needs as a veteran educator."

"I've been teaching for years, and this course still provided me with fresh perspectives and actionable techniques."

Emphasizes strategies to cater to diverse student abilities and learning styles.

"The emphasis on inclusivity and scaffolding is also commendable."

"I found the insights into working memory and the distinction between 'racecar' and 'hiker' learners incredibly valuable."

"You’ll discover how to bring out the best from all your students in today’s diverse teaching environment..."

"I now understand how to tailor instruction for different learning styles ('racecar' vs. 'hiker') — game-changers."

Instructors are highly praised for their clarity, passion, and effective delivery.

"The instructors, particularly Barbara Oakley, are fantastic – clear, engaging, and genuinely passionate."

"Dr. Oakley and her team deliver exceptional content. The instructors are exceptional – engaging, clear..."

"The instructors are incredibly knowledgeable and present the material in an engaging, accessible manner."

"The instructors are clearly experts and passionate about the subject."

Demystifies complex brain science, making it easy to grasp and apply.

"Absolutely brilliant! This course demystifies how the brain learns in an accessible and entertaining way."

"It beautifully bridges the gap between neuroscience and practical teaching strategies. The instructors make complex ideas accessible."

"The explanations are clear, the metaphors are memorable, and the overall tone is supportive and encouraging."

"I found the insights into working memory and the distinction between 'racecar' and 'hiker' learners incredibly valuable."

Provides immediately applicable strategies for diverse teaching contexts.

"The practical tips on active learning and addressing procrastination (Pomodoro!) are immediately applicable. I've already seen improvements in student engagement."

"The strategies for fostering focus and dealing with procrastination are directly transferable to adult learning environments."

"It's not just theory; it's filled with actionable strategies that I can immediately apply in my online tutoring sessions."

"I now understand *why* certain techniques work. This course is highly practical and empowering."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Uncommon Sense Teaching with these activities:

Review Principles of Learning

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Reviewing the principles of learning can help you understand the scientific basis for the teaching methods used in the course and apply them more effectively.

Browse courses on Learning Theory

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Go back and review your notes from previous courses on learning theory or educational psychology.
Read articles or books on the topic.
Attend a workshop or webinar on learning principles.
Discuss learning principles with your classmates or instructors.

Watch Videos on Brain-Based Learning

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Watching videos about brain-based learning can help you understand how your brain learns best and apply these principles to your studies.

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Search for videos on brain-based learning on platforms like YouTube or Coursera.
Choose videos that cover topics relevant to your course, such as memory, attention, and motivation.
Take notes while you watch the videos and highlight any key concepts.
Apply the principles you learn from the videos to your own studies.

Design a Study Plan

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Creating a study plan can help you organize your time and materials, and ensure that you're spending your time wisely.

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Determine how much time you have available for studying each week.
Break down the course material into smaller chunks.
Allocate specific times each week to study each chunk of material.
Include breaks and review sessions into your study plan.
Be flexible and adjust your study plan as needed.

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Create a Mind Map

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Creating a mind map can help you visualize and connect the different concepts you're learning in the course, which can improve your understanding and retention.

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Start by writing down the main topic of the mind map in the center of a piece of paper.
Draw branches off of the main topic and write down related concepts.
Continue branching out and adding more detail until you've covered all of the important concepts.
Use colors, images, and symbols to make your mind map more visually appealing and easier to remember.

Practice Active Recall

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Practice retrieving information from memory without looking at your notes, which will strengthen your memory and improve your ability to apply what you've learned.

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Choose a topic you've recently covered in class.
Try to recall as much information as you can about the topic without looking at your notes.
Check your memory by looking at your notes and identifying any gaps in your knowledge.
Repeat this process several times, gradually increasing the amount of time you spend trying to recall information without looking at your notes.

Form a Study Group

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Forming a study group can provide you with support and motivation, and help you learn from others.

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Find other students in your class who are interested in forming a study group.
Decide on a regular meeting time and place.
Establish ground rules for the group.
Choose a topic for each meeting and prepare in advance.
Take turns leading the discussion and sharing your insights.

Practice Pomodoro Technique

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Practicing the Pomodoro Technique can help you improve your focus and concentration, which will lead to better learning outcomes.

Browse courses on Time Management

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Set a timer for 25 minutes.
Focus on your studies without any distractions.
When the timer goes off, take a 5-minute break.
Repeat the process.
After four Pomodoro sessions, take a longer break of 20-30 minutes.

Organize Your Notes

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Organizing your notes can help you find information more easily and improve your recall of what you've learned.

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Go through your notes and identify the key concepts.
Organize your notes into different categories or topics.
Use different colors, fonts, or symbols to highlight important points.
Create a table of contents or index for your notes.
Review your notes regularly to reinforce your learning.

Career center

Learners who complete Uncommon Sense Teaching will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Teacher

Teachers are responsible for the day-to-day education of students. Uncommon Sense Teaching can provide you with effective and proven methods that you can use immediately in your classroom. This course may be particularly helpful for new teachers who are seeking fresh, research-based strategies to maximize student outcomes.

See salaries and explore the career path for Teacher

Instructional Coach

Instructional Coaches help other educators to improve their teaching. Uncommon Sense Teaching will provide you with practical and proven techniques for improving your teaching and the teaching of those you lead. With a focus on diversity, the course will help you as you engage and support all of your teachers on their journeys to becoming more effective in the classroom.

See salaries and explore the career path for Instructional Coach

Professional Development Coordinator

Professional Development Coordinators plan and facilitate professional development opportunities for educators. Uncommon Sense Teaching may help you to build a foundation in teaching theory and best practices. This course can prepare you to effectively lead and support educators through professional development initiatives.

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Educational Consultant

Educational Consultants work with schools, colleges, or other organizations to improve teaching practices and student outcomes. Uncommon Sense Teaching might build on your knowledge of effective teaching to help you become an effective consultant. You might develop specializations in areas such as curriculum design, professional development, or educational technology. This course can provide you with specific approaches to enhance your teaching with accessible and proven strategies.

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Community College Instructor

Community College Instructors teach and support students in community college settings. Uncommon Sense Teaching may be of value to Community College Instructors who are looking to stay up-to-date on the latest best practices in teaching and learning. In particular, the emphasis on diversity and adult learning principles may provide tools for creating equitable and effective learning experiences for diverse student populations.

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Learning Disabilities Specialist

Learning Disabilities Specialists support students with learning disabilities. Uncommon Sense Teaching may help you to better understand the challenges faced by students with learning disabilities and develop effective strategies to support their learning. This course can help you build a foundation in evidence-based practices and provide tools for creating a more inclusive learning environment.

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Instructional Designer

Instructional Designers develop and improve educational programs to meet specific learning objectives. As an Instructional Designer, you might develop training content for corporate employees or build out course materials for students of all ages. Uncommon Sense Teaching may help you understand how to present educational content in an engaging and focused manner. This can enable you to create fresh, engaging, and inclusive resources for the classroom or corporate training programs.

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Education Technologist

Education Technologists integrate technology into educational programs. Uncommon Sense Teaching may be beneficial for Education Technologists who are seeking to leverage technology to enhance the learning experience. This course not only provides practical approaches for individual student learning, but also discusses the role of technology in addressing the needs of all students with diverse learning styles.

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Learning and Development Specialist

Learning and Development Specialists work closely with employees at all levels to help them acquire the skills and knowledge to improve job performance. With a focus on adult learning principles, Uncommon Sense Teaching may provide you with additional tools and techniques to assist employees in reaching their professional goals.

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Curriculum Developer

Curriculum Developers create and manage educational programs and materials. As a Curriculum Developer, you will also stay on top of new best practices and research in educational methods. Uncommon Sense Teaching may provide you with cutting edge and proven methods to incorporate into your curricula. Moreover, the focus on accessibility and learning differences may help you create dynamic learning experiences for a diverse range of students.

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Educational Psychologist

Educational Psychologists apply principles of psychology to address issues in education. Uncommon Sense Teaching presents research-based approaches that may complement your understanding of educational psychology. This will enable you to effectively support students, educators, and parents, and contribute to the improvement of educational programs.

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School Administrator

School Administrators provide leadership and management to schools and other educational institutions. Uncommon Sense Teaching provides practical strategies that you can use right away to improve student learning and engagement. With a focus on real-world needs and challenges, this course can provide you with an actionable improvement plan for your educational institution. Additionally, the course's emphasis on diversity and inclusion will support your commitment to provide equitable opportunities for all students in your school community.

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Education Policy Analyst

Education Policy Analysts research, analyze, and develop policies that affect education. The insights and strategies from this course may help you to understand the practical implications of educational policies. Furthermore, the emphasis on evidence-based approaches to teaching can inform your analysis of policy proposals and their potential impact on educators and students.

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Education Researcher

Education Researchers investigate the process of teaching and learning. Uncommon Sense Teaching may provide you with the latest research on teaching and learning to enhance your research. This course can help you understand the theoretical and practical considerations that contribute to the most effective learning environments.

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Dean of Students

Deans of Students lead and manage student services. Uncommon Sense Teaching may help you to better understand the needs of students and provide leadership and insight on how best to support their learning and development. With a focus on creating an inclusive learning environment, you can also improve the effectiveness of services for a diverse student body.

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