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Neuroscience for Learning and Development: How to Apply Neuroscience and Psychology for Improved Learning and Training

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Neuroscience for Learning and Development provides L&D professionals the tools and ideas to design and deliver effective initiatives with knowledge of how our brains process information.

Using the latest research and concepts, this book covers areas such as motivation, habits and the link between sleep and learning. It demonstrates how to create effective learning environments and make learning 'stickier' with advancements in AI and digital learning, and through the use of stories. The practical tools and guidance can be applied in different contexts, such as digital learning, in-person training sessions and presentations.

The third edition contains a new chapter on creating an autonomous learning culture. It explains the strategies, tools and techniques L&D professionals can use to encourage and support employees to learn in the flow of work. With insights from L&D practitioners who have applied these approaches in organizations such as The Open University, this edition is an indispensable book for creating and maintaining workplace learning that benefits people and organizations.

328 pages, Paperback

First published November 28, 2015

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About the author

Stella Collins

4 books2 followers
Stella Collins is an internationally recognised learning strategist specialising in the application of neuroscience and psychology to improve workplace performance. For more than 25 years, she has collaborated with organisations to build practical, evidence-based learning solutions that drive behaviour change and business results.
She has trained thousands of professionals, leaders and learning specialists worldwide in business-critical workplace skills such as communication, leadership and performance-focused learning design. Known for translating complex science into practical action, Stella supports organisations in evolving learning cultures that improve performance at every level.
Stella is an author and an international keynote speaker. Blending neuroscience, AI, and real-world business experience, Stella challenges leaders to rethink how capability is built, to create self-directed, high-performing learning organisations.
Her new book, The Learning Organization: Using Self-Directed Learning to Drive Workforce Engagement and Performance, builds on her widely recognised work in the field. She is also the author of the best-selling Neuroscience for Learning and Development (3rd edition), translated into multiple languages and used globally by practitioners and academic institutions.
Her Linkedin Learning programme has reached tens of thousands of learners worldwide. She is the expert author for the Digital Learning Institute’s micro-credential on how the brain learns.
Her work is grounded in one core belief: “In a world of constant change, we must move from knowing to doing.”

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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
Profile Image for 8stitches 9lives.
2,853 reviews1,727 followers
August 27, 2019
As someone with a deep interest in the area of neuroscience this is a must-have read for those in the field of learning and development sectors in order to make the content they provide to others as memorable and easy to digest as possible. Complete with the latest cutting-edge research this is a truly fascinating insight into the way we learn and the best ways to retain information. Packed with helpful hints and tips as well as evidence-based approaches that are tried and tested, this is a well written and highly informative book. It's certainly well worth your time if you have an interest in this topic or work in one of the areas that would gain from applying these particular strategies. Many thanks to Kogan Page for an ARC.
Profile Image for Rory Fox.
Author 9 books50 followers
April 9, 2023
These are comments on the 3rd edition, published in 2023...

In 2020 the world spent over $487 billion on training. But only about 15% of what people learn is ever transferred back into the actual jobs and workplaces (p.65). Maybe that is because people forget 80% of what they’ve learned, within 24 hours of learning it (p.156). Whatever the reasons, there are clearly serious practical and productivity issues surrounding learning, and it is those issues which this book tries to get to grips with.

Extending across 17 carefully targeted chapters, the author looks at different ways that encourage focusing, engagement and retention. Unusually for educational books, it isn’t just a record of ‘what works for me.’ The book tries to anchor its ideas in research, and particularly in research that focuses upon measurable brain activity (ie neuroscience).

So, we hear for example, that getting people to guess answers to a question, seems to make them more likely to remember what they go onto learn as the real answer to the question. This means that starting a training session by seeing what people already know about a topic is not just an ice breaker, but it can be an effective learning tool.

We also heard about the laws of unintended consequences. Putting up a sign such as ‘no smoking’ is more likely to make people think about smoking, and so it can have the opposite effect of what is intended. Just flashing the word ‘no’ on a screen, triggers stress and can inhibit engagement in learning, even if there is no context to the word ‘no.’ These kinds of insights tell us that even before we get to the content of training and learning, serious considerations need to be given to the contextual factors of how ideas are put, and conveyed.

The book contained new ideas, but it also reinforced some traditional wisdom. Is learning more effective when delivered in large doses, or through a model of little and often? Looking at the outcome of teaching typing, it was found that groups which had just an hour a day learned faster, and they were more accurate than groups that had several hours a day of training (p.188). This spaced learning, when combined with spaced revision, seems to be the most effective approach. Generations of teachers that have warned against last minute cramming, will feel relieved to be vindicated!

I enjoyed the book and found it helpful in making me think about a range of educational issues. I was also a little disappointed to not find more about digital learning. There are very real debates in schools about whether children should learn from physical text books, or whether they should learn from digital books. There are debates about whether it is better to take typed notes, or handwritten notes. There are even controversies surrounding whether tests deliver different results when taken digitally, to when taken on paper. Some of these issues are touched upon in the book, but I would have welcomed more detail, to inform and enable decision making.

Overall, this is a large book which aims to be relatively comprehensive. It is written in an easily accessible style which readers of any background can enjoy and benefit from. The book contains so many ideas that readers will inevitably find gems of personal interest.

(These are honest comments based on a free ARC version of the book).
Profile Image for GONZA.
7,614 reviews128 followers
July 23, 2019
This is a good and interesting book, well written and full of tips, my only disappointment is that I was expecting something to make my process of learning easier instead the book is mostly about making the learning process easier for other people. Of course it helps the trainer also but still... Anyway most of the suggestion involve neuroscience but at a level that it's easy to understand and to apply and so this can be a very good book to start if you are interested in the topic.

Questo é un buon manuale, ben scritto e pieno di suggerimenti, peccato che io mi aspettassi un libro che aiutasse me ad imparare piú facilmente, invece ha a che fare con la modalitá per rendere il processo di apprendimento altrui piú immediato. Naturalmente molti suggerimenti sono utili anche per il trainer, peró...Comunque la maggior parte delle facilitazioni prevede l'utilizzo delle neuroscienze, ma ad un livello pratico e facile da capire, quindi questo puó essere un buon libro se l'argomento vi interessa, ma non lo conoscete ancora abbastanza bene.

THANKS TO NETGALLEY AND KOGAN PAGE LTD. FOR THE PREVIEW! (less)
Profile Image for J Kromrie.
2,615 reviews51 followers
April 25, 2024
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.

In her insightful book, "Neuroscience for Learning and Development", Stella Collins delves into the fascinating intersection of neuroscience, psychology, and learning. With a focus on practical applications, Collins equips L&D professionals with tools to enhance training, improve learning environments, and create lasting impact.

Why Neuroscience and Learning Are Good Companions

- Collins begins by addressing the book's intended audience: trainers across various professions. She defines neuroscience as a blend of disciplines, including psychology, physiology, and even computer science. Throughout the book, she features "Other Voices"—practitioners who have applied psychological and neuroscientific concepts in their work.

The Science of Your Brain
- This chapter provides a basic overview of brain function related to learning. Collins simplifies brain anatomy, neurotransmitters, and research techniques. The triune brain model—stem, limbic system, and neocortex—serves as a framework for understanding brain structures and their roles.

Motivating Learners from Curiosity to Persistence
- Collins explores motivation, emphasizing curiosity as a powerful driver. She discusses dopamine, the brain's reward system, and how to create engaging learning experiences.

Use Your Senses
- Sensory experiences play a crucial role in learning. Collins highlights multisensory approaches, encouraging trainers to leverage visual, auditory, and kinesthetic modalities.

Making Learning Meaningful and Valuing Intelligence
- The chapter delves into memory, intelligence, and meaningful learning. Collins emphasizes the importance of connecting new information to existing knowledge.

Sleep and Learning
- Collins acknowledges the impact of sleep on learning and memory consolidation. Practical tips for optimizing sleep contribute to effective learning outcomes.

Your Brain and Digital Learning
- In the digital age, understanding how technology affects the brain is essential. Collins discusses virtual learning, social digital learning, and practical design considerations.

Practical Takeaways:

- Implementable Techniques: Collins offers practical tools that can be immediately applied in various contexts—whether in-person training, coaching, or digital learning.

- Research-Backed Approaches: The book combines theory with evidence, allowing L&D professionals to make compelling cases for their practices.

- Updated Content: The second edition includes new chapters on digital learning and the importance of sleep.

"Neuroscience for Learning and Development" is a valuable resource for anyone passionate about enhancing learning experiences. Stella Collins seamlessly bridges the gap between science and practice, empowering educators and trainers to create meaningful impact. 🌟📚
Profile Image for Ryan.
13 reviews1 follower
August 8, 2018
The main strength of this book is that it provides teaching and learning strategies clearly linked to how the brain works. Strategies are designed around four domains: attention/motivation, social-emotional, cognitive, and compassion. Most books compartmentalize the four domains. I liked how this book spent time on the overlap of the four domains and how they work in a dependent, non-linear fashion.

The book went into a lot of detail about the brain's biology and how it works. This section was written in a very technical manner. While interesting, the casual reader probably won't recall a lot. I have already forgotten what the specific functions of the thalamus, hypothalamus, anterior cingulate cortex, and many other parts of the brain. All I felt I needed to know was that the brain is plastic and has the ability to generate new neurons.

Profile Image for Jason Wrench.
Author 35 books36 followers
July 15, 2019
As the author of a book on training and development, this book was definitely within my wheelhouse for evaluation. I had been familiar with Collins' first edition of the book, which was why I was interested in seeing what changed. As a learning and development professional, I was really glad to see that the inclusion of the latest research in neuroscience was included within the revised version of the book. Although this isn't a complete overhaul, there is a lot of new material in this book that makes it worth reading for anyone in the L&D world. Of you're someone who is really interested in evidence-based learning practices, then this book is a must-have in your library.
Profile Image for Carl Jacobs.
52 reviews
August 13, 2023
Stella is clearly an expert on neuroscience and how it impacts learning transfer. However, the topic itself can difficulty be contained in a book. Talking about transfer & impact: I would recommend you to get into a course where you will actually work on the topic. Stellar Labs has great ones. Really good reference book in which you will get great insights if you are new in L&D or want to step up your game as a learning expert.
Profile Image for Diane Law.
617 reviews5 followers
March 11, 2022
Very informative with lots of ideas to put into practice straight away.
It is a very well researched book, but is is written in an engaging and practical way.

The author practices what she preaches by incorporating as many of the ideas as possible into the book itself.

Definitely one I will need to return to as the need arises.
Profile Image for Sylvie.
Author 14 books37 followers
December 29, 2017
Liked it! It's useful if you want to know how you can use neuroscience tools to help you build better learning options. It is easy to read and is comprehensive. It just opened my appetite for more knowledge in this area. Recommended to beginners in Learning & Development domain.
Profile Image for Annarella.
14.3k reviews166 followers
July 4, 2019
I think this book is a must read if you work in L&D. It's fascinating, well written and full of interesting ideas.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
Profile Image for AnnieM.
500 reviews32 followers
June 1, 2023
As someone who works in the area of training and development, this book is extremely relevant and timely. First of all, the authors ground their research in the area of neuroscience to help us understand that learning is not development, not memory and not information or content (which we often in my profession assume it is one or all of these). Instead learning creates structural changes in our brain at the cellular level. Because of this, the book effectively outlines ways to design and deliver training and education to maximize its impact. I really like how the book is structured – each chapter starts with context (story) and an overview followed by a mind-map figure that is a great framing device for what will follow in the chapter. At the end of each chapter is a concise bullet-pointed summary with follow up readings and resources. In learning and development, there have been many models over the years that try to address transfer of learning so I found the GEAR model a refreshing way to look at this – “Guide, Experiment, Apply, Retain” -- guiding using scaffolding and bit-sized chunks, and applying to allow participants to practice what they learned back at work and then retain by spacing out the learning and repetition. One of my favorite chapters is at the end, where the authors suggest a way for us to retain what we just learned as we read the book – I found that to be incredibly useful and it drove the point home about how to help with retention of learning. The other great aspect of this book is it effectively writes about how to use different methods and techniques in classroom training (in person) and virtually. Since more of our training is now delivered via Zoom and Teams. This is a great resource for education and training professionals.

Thank you to Netgalley and Kogan Page LTD. for an ARC and I left this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Darren.
1,193 reviews69 followers
December 6, 2015
Research into understanding how we learn and thus how we can best teach is on-going. This book looks at some of the latest developments in neuroscience and psychology and considers how they can be utilised to give effective, successful training and learning.

This is a specialist book that provides a lot of interesting, impactful information, delivering a range of practical tools and suggesting techniques and ideas to improve how trainers train and how people learn. All types of learning are covered, both face-to-face and online/virtual, and the reader can be better placed to develop and deliver training that will be sticky and of value to the recipient.

A lot of the same knowledge can be extracted and used in other situations, since delivering education need not be that different to delivering a sales pitch or selling a concept or idea to others. The venue and method may vary, but a lot of the key, underlying procedures and concepts will be the same. This area of understanding is relatively new and changing and the author delivered a book that kept this reader engaged and wanting to learn more (no doubt utilising their own neuroscience knowledge…)

As you expect from a book of this kind, there is an extensive reference/bibliography so you are able to dig even deeper into a particular area of interest. It may not be a book for everybody, yet for those who need this sort of information or who are a bit curious, it can be a very powerful, valuable resource.


Autamme.com
81 reviews3 followers
November 28, 2023
The appliance of (neuro)science

Whether you’re a teacher, a student or just someone who enjoys learning new things understanding how we can make the most of our brains and learn effectively makes total sense. Neuroscience is a current buzzword and Stella takes through what it is, why it matters, how memory works and how we can learn how to learn to maximise retention and understanding and how we can use all of this to help others and ourselves.

She provides examples of how to make information stick from how it’s presented to the importance of sleep in assimilating and understanding. A new chapter in this third edition looks at digital learning and how we can use and improve it to actually help people learn rather than just being a tick box exercise. I gave the book four stars rather than five as I would like to have seen more examples of how the techniques could be blended and applied as I worked through the book.

While aimed at trainers this book will also be of interest and use to teachers, students, parents and learners in general. I’m a great believer in life-long learning and this book provides a lot of food for thought and I will be dipping back into it on a regular basis.

I was given this book from the author via netgalley only for the pleasure of reading and leaving an honest review should I choose to.
Profile Image for GONZA.
7,614 reviews128 followers
November 3, 2015
This is a good and interesting book, well written and full of tips, my only disappointment is that I was expecting something to make my process of learning easier instead the book is mostly about making the learning process easier for other people. Of course it helps the trainer also but still... Anyway most of the suggestion involve neuroscience but at a level that it's easy to understand and to apply and so this can be a very good book to start if you are interested in the topic.

Questo é un buon manuale, ben scritto e pieno di suggerimenti, peccato che io mi aspettassi un libro che aiutasse me ad imparare piú facilmente, invece ha a che fare con la modalitá per rendere il processo di apprendimento altrui piú immediato. Naturalmente molti suggerimenti sono utili anche per il trainer, peró...Comunque la maggior parte delle facilitazioni prevede l'utilizzo delle neuroscienze, ma ad un livello pratico e facile da capire, quindi questo puó essere un buon libro se l'argomento vi interessa, ma non lo conoscete ancora abbastanza bene.

THANKS TO NETGALLEY AND KOGAN PAGE LTD. FOR THE PREVIEW!
Profile Image for Charlotte.
132 reviews2 followers
January 4, 2016
This is a really interesting book which goes through the current research on learning and the brain in a very accessible way - with summaries at the end of each chapter and some recommendations for how to implement the suggestions in real learning situations. Each chapter summary section also has references for you to follow up the studies that are cited (so you don't have to go digging around in the back - which I find really annoying on a kindle). I'll definitely refer back to it again in the future! My only negatives are to do with the layout of the version I was sent (full of odd grey graphics and not optimised for Kindle), and that it was such a quick read - I would have really enjoyed slightly more depth on some of the research.

Many thanks to NetGalley for providing a free advance copy in exchange for an unbiased review.
3 reviews
January 12, 2026
For a world that doesn't exist anymore

It’s an interesting read and you’ll learn things from it. However, it’s focused on formal training delivery and hasn’t been adapted to a modern L&D environment. Interesting, but it will have little impact on how you operate if you work in L&D.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews