Summer Institute: Santa Barbara

Please note: The August Institute is now filled to capacity.
We are no longer taking registrations at this time.

Engage in intensive training in neuroscience concepts
that have applications in classrooms.

Register for the Learning & the Brain Summer Institute, co-sponsored with the Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara

The Summer Institute is for

PreK-12 Teachers, Administrators, School Psychologists and School Clinicians
Education Professors
College Professors

You will learn strategies to:

Use advances in memory research to ignite student learning and turn on the brain’s learning centers.
Examine ways to maximize and maintain attention and focus.
Increase memory retrieval, and create long-term memories by mental manipulation in the prefrontal cortex, and build with executive-function strategies.
Employ brain-friendly instructional strategies to advance student achievement in mathematics.
Implement strategic review, study, and test preparation to allow students to retain information and transfer it to future learning and creative problem solving.
Differentiate instruction for all learning styles and skill levels through activities and instruction within student's individual achievable challenge levels.

From August 3-6, 2010, Learning & the Brain will offer a Summer Institute, co-sponsored with the Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA on the oceanside campus of the University of California, Santa Barbara. As brain imaging studies and cognitive neuroscience continue to give a clearer picture of how individuals respond to sensory stimuli and perform cognitive tasks, we have been accumulating knowledge about the brain's neural systems.

The Institute will be hands-on. You will collaborate in facilitated discussions and analyses of case studies to develop scientifically grounded approaches for understanding and meeting the diverse cognitive, social and emotional needs of students. You will discuss and share lesson challenges and successes as a learning community and identify ways to continue learning about the brain and learning after the Institute is over.

At the Institute, you will be actively engaged in the following questions:

What does the current brain research tell us about the most effective approaches for learning?
How can we work with the brain processing systems and sensory input filters to focus student attention and responsiveness?
What is neuroplasticity and why does it matter?
How can we construct more coherent and relevant instruction from the learners' perspective?
How can we teach for understanding and transfer?
What assessment practices promote learning?
How does stress impact learning?
What motivates learners to try their best and what factors negatively affect student motivation?
What classroom interventions assess and differentiate for each student's level of achievable challenge?
How can we improve student performance on standardized tests without excessive "test prep?"
How can we make the most of Professional Learning Communities?

Content goals: Four goals provide the basis for the program:

Achieving a new understanding of students’ ability to be attentive and retain information
Acquiring tools and strategies for improving curricula
Improving instructional practice
Enhancing student outcomes

Format:

Full-time participation and preparation are expected throughout the Institute. The Institute is hands-on. Rather than simply listening to lectures, participants also collaborate in facilitated discussions and analyses of case studies to develop scientifically grounded approaches for understanding and meeting the diverse cognitive, social and emotional needs of students. A full schedule of class sessions and activities is held each day, amounting to a program total of 22 hours. Additionally, there will be asignment and group projects each evening for the next day.

About The Institute:

This Learning & the Brain Summer Institute helps individuals and school teams develop the knowledge, skills and strategies necessary to responsibly apply neuroscience and cognitive science findings to the classroom to improve teaching and learning. The program offers participants an intensive professional development experience, drawing on the most up-to-date findings in affective and social neuroscience. The Institute emphasizes memory and retention and their roles in learning, motivation, attention and the culture of schools.

The Institute will be led by Dr. Judy Willis.

About Dr. Judy Willis:

Judy Willis, MD, EdD is a neurologist and credentialed teacher. She has combined her training in neuroscience and neuroimaging with her teacher education training and years of classroom experience. Dr. Willis is an authority in the field of learning-centered brain research and teaching strategies derived from this research and has spoken at national and international educational conferences.

Dr. Willis has taught in elementary and middle schools and is currently an adjunct lecturer at the University of California, Santa Barbara.

She has written six books on this topic, contributed extensively to educational journals, and conducts interactive professional development workshops throughout the United States and internationally.

Her most recent books include Research-Based Strategies to Ignite Student Learning (2006), Brain Research Based Strategies for the Inclusion Class (2007), How Your Child Learns Best (2008), and Inspiring Middle School Minds: Gifted, Creative and Challenging (2009).

Professional Development Credit:

This program provides a total of 22 hours toward professional development credit for various professionals. For types of credit offered, or to find out about additional engaged hours toward professional development credit, call Learning & the Brain Conference at 781-449-4010 ext. 105.

Accommodations:

Interaction between faculty and participants outside the classroom is an integral part of the Institute. To foster this total immersion learning environment, participants are housed in dormitory accommodations on the UC, Santa Barbara campus. Participants are assigned a single room. Linens and daily housekeeping are provided. All facilities are ADA compliant.

Arrival/Departure:

The program begins at 12:00 p.m. on August 3 and concludes at 12:00 p.m. on August 6. Participants may arrive during the morning of August 3 and have lunch at a campus dining hall. Lunch is also served on August 6 at the conclusion of the program.

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Enrollment is limited to 35 participants; please register early.

Cost: $1,975 (ask about our group rate) --includes registration, materials, fees, meals, lodging and available professional development credits.

For details and policies, click on “Policies” above.

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