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

by Stella Collins

Explaining the science behind creative training delivery so that learners will be motivated, enjoy their training sessions, pay attention, remember what was being said, and ultimately be able to apply what they have learned, Neuroscience for Learning and Development  introduces tools, techniques, and ideas to help trainers improve their training.  Author Stella Collins provides the latest scientific research behind multiple facets of training and learning, including the design and delivery of face to face, online and virtual learning, and how to create environments conducive to learning, along with how to distinguish between neuromyths and neuroscience.

Genres: Education, Neuroscience, Psychology, Nonfiction, Science, Research, Reference

248 pages, Paperback

First published November 28, 2015

Reviews

[8stitches 9lives · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Rory Fox · Rating 4 out of 5]

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).

[GONZA · Rating 3 out of 5]

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)

[J Kromrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

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. 🌟📚

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Jason Wrench · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Carl Jacobs · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Diane Law · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Sylvie · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Annarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Gena Khodos · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book of great information and terrible ideas about how to apply it

[Darren · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.


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[GONZA · Rating 3 out of 5]

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!

[Charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Nassia Kapa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is definitely a new field for me, but this book makes it feel easy to dive into!