Research-Based Strategies to Ignite Student Learning: Insights from a Neurologist and Classroom Teacher

I have been interested in Memory, Learning, and Long-Term Memory for some time now. I think that this book does what was long overdue. It looks not at "Memory", but "Long-Term Memory" as a key goal in the light of what we understand about consolidation. Many, many programs and individuals could benefit from this ESPECIALLY in the world of language teaching. In Language teaching, what IO do, many of the faculty is still working with methods employed 60 years ago - and with great failure, I add. This book supports these views.Many students, especially English Language Learners, fail school due to a lack of proficiency in their literacy skills (reading/writing + numeracy). This is a fact. This is true in the USA where the number of ELLs is increasing, and also across Europe. In the Middle East, where I teach, the number one reason why our students fail is linked to reading, and the number two reason is writing. In workshops and at conferences I see that the pedagogy being provided is still didactic in nature. It does not work.I was provided with a class filled with remedial students and it was expected that 60% of the class would fail, or more. I had 18/21 pass. I never dissected the grammar with or for them, we never memorized lists of vocabulary, but we became familiar with these items, and developed an understanding across various activities as this book puts forth.What a great book - order it, enjoy it.For teaching frameworks that allow you to teach this way, but also allow you to cover the discrete bit (intelligently so) see:  The Teaching for Understanding Guide (Jossey Bass Education Series) Understanding by Design, Expanded 2nd Edition

Last year was my first year with a particularly low class with considerable behavioral challenges and I knew I had to doing something different. Along cam this book that I found at Half-Price books. I purchased this copy for a teacher I'm coaching now. Some of the medical language is like whaaaa....but she explains it pretty good detail. If you have the autonomy to do mostly what you want in your classroom, this is the book for you. And it's science based!

The combination of work experience with neuroscience and education has provided Judy Willis with fantastic insights into the very challenging art of teaching. Over the last several years, there have been amazing advances in the knowledge of how the brain functions and how we all learn. Through Judy Willis's book, "Ignite Student Learning", we are now presented with multiple concepts and techniques for how we, as teachers and administrators, can utilize this knowledge to enhance our instruction so that all students can become intrinsically motivated and find true joy in learning.

Very readable and useful little book by a classroom teacher who has also had a career in neurology.Cognitive Science is a particular interest of mine. I am always interested in brain-based theories of how to engage students in the classroom learning experience. Perhaps because this volume is already six years old, I didn't find any information that was new to me, but I enjoyed reviewing the concepts put forth here.This is a good introductory book. It is practical, straight-forward and easy to understand.Kim BurdickStanton, DE

This is one of the best teaching books I have ever read. I'm a Spanish teacher who has taught at both the high school and college levels. I borrowed this from a friend, devoured it, and then bought my own copy because I wanted to be able to refer back to it. Extremely accessible with excellent, concrete suggestions on ways to improve the learning experience for your students.

The information here is invaluable. Dr. Willis shares deep insight, understanding, and information. If you only read one educational book this year, make it this one! The "gray matter" sections give background info on brain mechanics. Very helpful. However, I found it useful to go back after the first reading, and read the book again without the gray matter sections. This gives the teacher explicit tips on how to get newly learned information into students' long term memory. What could be better? This book is a real gem.

I bought this book as part of a class. There is a lot of great information available in this book about about how the brain works when learning new concepts. It talks a lot about long term memory and how to learn using that memory. Great book. I ended up quoting parts of this book during when I was defending my thesis project. This book is interesting and surprisingly easy to read.

This book is so well written and has practical knowledge for educators and those that just like to understand how the brain works. I would encourage ALL parents and educators to read this book. It is a quick read and not heavy with medical terms but Judy Willis does explain in "laymans medical terms" the brain functions. BUY IT!