- Examine ways to maximize and maintain student attention and focus
- Demonstrate strategies to teach students at all grade levels about their brains to empower their learning
- List ways to descrease the fear of mistakes to increase student and class participation
- Demonstrates strategies to increase encoding and mental manipulation for memory retrieval and retention
- Employ brain-friendly strategies to advance student achievement and problem solving
- Discuss recent advances in neuroscience research that ignite student motivation and engagement
- Apply the benefits of the video game model, such as reaching individual challenge levels and self-recognition of incremental progress, to increase student motivation, effort and perseverance
Judy Willis, MD, MEd, 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 written six books on this topic, contributed extensively to educational journals and conducts interactive professional development workshops throughout the United States and internationally. Financial disclosure – Dr. Willis is receiving a speaking fee for her presentation. She is an author with ASCD for which she receives royalty payments. Non-financial disclosure – Dr. Willis has no relevant non-financial relationships to disclose.
Malana Willis, MEd, teaches elementary school in Santa Barbara, CA. Previously she taught elementary school in Oakland, CA for over five years, taught at the American School of Bilbao in Spain and worked at the UCSB Autism Clinic. She received her Masters Degree in Education and Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from UC Berkeley and her BA in psychology from Williams College. Financial disclosure – Ms. Willis is receiving a speaking fee for her presentation. Non-financial disclosure – Ms. Willis has no relevant non-financial relationships to disclose.