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Barbara Oakley,
Beth Rogowsky,
and
Dr. Terrence Sejnowski
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.
Read more
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.
Read more
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!
Register for this course and see more details by visiting:
OpenCourser.com/course/mvkqo2/uncommon
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!
Read more
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!
Read more
Helping the Brain Build Better Links for Learning
This week, we'll dive into the brain's two major "superhighways" of learning. The declarative pathway wends its way through the hippocampus and onto the neocortex. This pathway is for new information students are trying to figure out or learn. A tiny, fun, metaphorical choir will help you better understand how the hippocampus (a glib character named Hip!), the neocortex (a capacious singer named Neo), and working memory (the Conductor) all interact to help students learn declaratively. And you'll learn how Beth used this type of learning, along with the underlying, all-important consolidation processes—to help her recover her ability to read the words she can now speak so eloquently. The more mysterious procedural pathway involves information, skills, or activities that we use or do so often that we don't want to have to waste cognitive resources in having to think about them. Think that drill means kill? Think again—we teachers ignore the value of the procedural pathway at our peril. As we'll discover, smartly done drill leads to skill! We'll also cover important issues related to lack of focus, including task switching, dual tasking, and continuous partial attention. But unrelenting focus isn't always the answer—as we'll see, there are tricks to help students get around the cognitive fixation that can cause them so many problems on tests. Finally, we'll show how using a neural approach to understanding the effects of your teaching can also help you to understand the value of seemingly unrelated ideas and approaches like physical exercise, and of metaphor, when it learning. It's going to be a fun, action-packed week!
Practice, Passion, and Procrastination
This week, we dive into one of students' most common issues with their studies—procrastination. A common tool for business, the Pomodoro Technique, turns out to be also useful to help students of all ages focus their meditation. This is because the Pomodoro Technique makes masterful use of the brain's focusing and relaxing modes of thinking. Judicious focusing and relaxing of one's thoughts is also a great way to figure out difficult or frustrating concepts or problems. But when it comes to studying, it's important not only to focus and relax, but also to step back and look at the big picture of where the studies are headed. Is the common career advice for students to "follow your passion" always the best advice? And there are other bigger picture issues related to learning to help ensure our students approach their studies, projects, and tests with the best possible attitude and preparation
How Human Brains Evolved—and Why This Matters for your Teaching
Do children learn differently than adults? Yes they do, and this week's insights show us how our brains change as we mature. These changes mean that certain approaches that work great for our youngest students aren't necessarily appropriate for middle and high school students. Looking at learning from an evolutionary perspective helps us to understand why some types of learning are natural and easy, while other forms can be far more difficult. What are some of the best ways to tackle teaching the more-difficult-to-learn material? That's what this culminating week of our first MOOC in the Uncommon Sense Teaching Specialization is all about!
Good to know
Good to know
Know what's good ,
what to watch for , 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
Save this course
Save Uncommon Sense Teaching to your list so you can find it easily later:
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Reviews summary
Uncommon brain-based teaching
learners say this course is largely positive, discovering that when effective teaching is provided, learning is improved. This course examines neuroscience and teaching techniques to help students learn by providing engaging assignments and clear deadlines in collaborative, supportive classrooms. The course also emphasizes active learning, spaced repetition, visualization, and direct instruction to strengthen memory and understanding.
This course is a good follow-up to the "Learning How to Learn" course.
"And this is only part 1.
And the timing is perfect. In these uncertain times, teachers are slowly turning back to the new normal, to the regular classrooms, if possible."
Using visualization techniques can help students to learn and remember.
"The course also emphasizes active learning, spaced repetition, visualization, and direct instruction to strengthen memory and understanding."
Reviewing material at spaced intervals helps to improve memory.
"The course also emphasizes active learning, spaced repetition, visualization, and direct instruction to strengthen memory and understanding."
Effective teaching is essential for student learning.
"learners say this course is largely positive, discovering that when effective teaching is provided, learning is improved."
Direct instruction is a teaching method that is effective for teaching complex skills.
"The course also emphasizes active learning, spaced repetition, visualization, and direct instruction to strengthen memory and understanding."
The course draws on neuroscience research to explain how we learn.
"This course examines neuroscience and teaching techniques to help students learn."
Students learn best in supportive and collaborative environments.
"This course emphasizes active learning, where students are actively involved in the learning process."
Students learn better by doing.
"The course emphasizes active learning, where students are actively involved in the learning process."
This course stresses the importance of understanding how students learn to improve teaching.
"The course also emphasizes active learning, spaced repetition, visualization, and direct instruction to strengthen memory and understanding."
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
Show steps
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
Show steps
-
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
Show steps
Watching videos about brain-based learning can help you understand how your brain learns best and apply these principles to your studies.
Show steps
-
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
Show steps
Creating a study plan can help you organize your time and materials, and ensure that you're spending your time wisely.
Show steps
-
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.
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Create a Mind Map
Show steps
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.
Show steps
-
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
Show steps
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.
Show steps
-
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
Show steps
Forming a study group can provide you with support and motivation, and help you learn from others.
Show steps
-
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
Show steps
Practicing the Pomodoro Technique can help you improve your focus and concentration, which will lead to better learning outcomes.
Browse courses on
Time Management
Show steps
-
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
Show steps
Organizing your notes can help you find information more easily and improve your recall of what you've learned.
Show steps
-
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.
Review Principles of Learning
Show steps
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
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- 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
Show steps
Watching videos about brain-based learning can help you understand how your brain learns best and apply these principles to your studies.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- 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
Show steps
Creating a study plan can help you organize your time and materials, and ensure that you're spending your time wisely.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- 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.
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Create a Mind Map
Show steps
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.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- 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
Show steps
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.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- 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
Show steps
Forming a study group can provide you with support and motivation, and help you learn from others.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- 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
Show steps
Practicing the Pomodoro Technique can help you improve your focus and concentration, which will lead to better learning outcomes.
Browse courses on
Time Management
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- 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
Show steps
Organizing your notes can help you find information more easily and improve your recall of what you've learned.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- 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
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.
Instructional Coach
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.
Professional Development Coordinator
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.
Educational Consultant
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.
Community College Instructor
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.
Learning Disabilities Specialist
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.
Instructional Designer
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.
Education Technologist
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.
Learning and Development Specialist
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.
Curriculum Developer
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.
Educational Psychologist
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.
School Administrator
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.
Education Policy Analyst
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.
Education Researcher
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.
Dean of Students
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.
For more career information including salaries, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/mvkqo2/uncommon
Reading list
We've selected 13 books
that we think will supplement your
learning. Use these to
develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a
deeper understanding of the topics covered in
Uncommon Sense Teaching.
This New York Times bestseller explores the science of learning and provides practical tips on how to effectively learn and retain information. It is particularly useful for students who want to improve their study skills and learn more efficiently.
Save
Provides evidence-based strategies for improving learning and retention. It is especially helpful for understanding the role of active learning, spaced repetition, and retrieval practice in effective learning.
Save
Explores the concept of a growth mindset, which emphasizes the importance of effort and resilience in learning. It is valuable for students who want to develop a more positive attitude towards learning and challenge.
Explores the use of technology to enhance learning. It provides practical tips and strategies for using technology effectively in the classroom and for self-directed learning.
Save
Provides a fascinating overview of the latest research on learning. It explores the factors that influence how we learn, and how we can create optimal learning environments.
Explores the challenges that established companies face in innovating and adapting to new technologies. It provides insights into how to avoid the innovator's dilemma and stay ahead of the competition.
Provides a practical guide to building a successful startup. It emphasizes the importance of customer feedback and iteration in developing and launching new products and services.
Save
Provides a step-by-step guide to acquiring customers for your startup. It covers a wide range of marketing and sales strategies, and provides practical advice on how to attract and retain customers.
Provides insights into the challenges and opportunities of building a successful startup. It emphasizes the importance of innovation and vision, and provides practical advice on how to create a successful company.
Provides a comprehensive overview of investment principles. It classic in the field of finance, and provides valuable insights into how to invest wisely and avoid common pitfalls.
Save
Explores the science of habit formation. It provides insights into how habits work, and how we can change our habits for the better.
Save
Explores the science of motivation. It provides insights into what motivates us, and how we can create more motivating environments for ourselves and others.
Provides a practical guide to developing personal and professional effectiveness. It offers insights into how to set goals, build relationships, and achieve success.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/mvkqo2/uncommon
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Effort
4 weeks of study, 3-4 hours/week
Level
Introductory
Via
Coursera
Institution
Deep Teaching Solutions
Instructors
Barbara Oakley
Beth Rogowsky
Dr. Terrence Sejnowski
Language
English
Transcripts
Español
Français
Português
Deutsch
Italiano
中文
العربية
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magyar nyelv
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اُردُو,
فارسی
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پښتو
آذربایجان دیلی
This course belongs to a
collection
called
Uncommon Sense Teaching. It's comprised of three courses:
- Uncommon Sense Teaching: Part 2, Building Community and Habits of Learning
- Uncommon Sense Teaching (viewing)
- Uncommon Sense Teaching: Teaching Online
Good to know
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
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