Neuroteach

by Glenn Whitman, Ian Kelleher

Teachers are brain changers. Thus it would seem obvious that an understanding of the brain – the organ of learning – would be critical to a teacher’s readiness to work with students. Unfortunately, in traditional public, public-charter, private, parochial, and home schools across the country, most teachers lack an understanding of how the brain receives, filters, consolidates, and applies learning for both the short and long term. Neuroteach was therefore written to help solve the problem teachers and school leaders have in knowing how to bring the growing body of educational neuroscience research into the design of their schools, classrooms, and work with each individual student. It is our hope, that Neuroteach will help ensure that one day, every student –regardless of zip code or school type—will learn and develop with the guidance of a teacher who knows the research behind how his or her brain works and learns.

Genres: Education, Nonfiction, Teaching, Science, Psychology, Professional Development, School

225 pages, Paperback

Published June 20, 2016

Reviews

[Rachel · Rating 1 out of 5]

Although there are some good research-based ideas included, my background in Neuroscience couldn't handle how the concepts were watered down to the point of being almost inaccurate. I also feel like the descriptions of current teacher method and mindset were almost insulting to the professional field. None of the teachers at my school are so blind to the mindset of the students, or unaware of the challenges of fostering lasting learning. There are pedagogical techniques that contradict some of the Do's and Don'ts of this book that are nonetheless reasonable, effective and research based. (There is still open debate in peer-reviewed research about some of these concepts, such as the effectiveness of lecture techniques.) Yes, teachers must understand how the brain works, but then they must apply this knowledge in context with proper synthetic understanding, not blindly follow a checklist from a mass market paperback.

[Kevin McShane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must read for all teachers and school leaders. It is a brilliant introduction to the world of Mind, Brain, and Education work that can truly bring education into the 21st century and prepare students for the world they will inhabit, not the one their grandparents did. There are so many practical tips for teachers here!

[Lindsay Conaway · Rating 5 out of 5]

We read this book as a year-long professional development, meeting monthly in small groups to discuss each chapter. This book has so many valuable takeaways for those in the teaching profession!

[Emma Lombardi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved reading about the brain and how it works. I have incorporated some of the practices into my classroom as well as my life!

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative! I’ll be changing some of my teaching practices based on the research in this book. I also found this book very validating, many of the practices that I believe in are proven to be good for the brain!

[Ellen O'brien · Rating 4 out of 5]

Useful and informative. The proof will be in the practice.

[Chanita · Rating 5 out of 5]

My teaching Bible.

[Amber Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the opportunity to meet Glenn in Bethesda in June 2019 while attending his conference. As a new school year gears up tomorrow morning, I decided this book was my final "summer read".

1. Teaching is hard. There is no way around that - and if you find that way - you need to find your 'zone of proximal discomfort".

2. This book isn't going to make you the BEST TEACHER EVER. However - it provides insight on how the brain works and provides opportunities for you to reflect on your own practice and set goals for yourself. I think this line said it best: "MBE research-informed strategies for teaching and learning will get you so far, but you have to run the last leg of this relay race yourself".

3. This book makes me want to be a better teacher - and in the end, I believe we all want to be better at our jobs.

4. Read it. Either love it or hate it, but your brain will be changed in the end. That's neuroplasticity baby!

[Syd L · Rating 1 out of 5]

Watered-down, condescending psychology that assumes that teachers know nothing previous to reading this book. Maybe it should have taken its own advice and assessed its students’ knowledge before teaching. No immediately applicable practices (that are new, I guess...) or ways of assessing your own teaching.

Loved one part that referred to “the decades since you have been in college.” Bitch, it’s been 5 years. Maybe I’m just the wrong audience.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Required reading for my new teaching position, and I was actually glad of it. It reinforced everything I read in "The Teenage Brain", with more studies and specific information targeted to teachers rather than a generalized parent manual, and again, will be a super helpful reference to explain my teaching choices moving forward.

[Mark Lenz · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books about teaching I’ve read in recent years. Presents current research in brain science with teaching practice, and is essential for debunking teaching myths (even pedagogy I was taught in college) and enlightening teachers on the best research-backed pedagogy

[Lucas Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some really helpful and interesting ideas in here. Struggled with the presentation. Some of the stylistic choices and constant hard sell tone distract from the potential of MBE science. Worthwhile, but there should be some skimming involved.

[Ivan Beeckmans · Rating 3 out of 5]

The material is interesting enough, but as a teacher I knew much of what was contained. A bit repetitive and if someone wanted a good summary, Appendix Two: Self Reflection Tool, would do the job.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Every student deserves a teacher who understand who understands how the brain learns best— what we know about how learning occurs, which strategies are effective and which are not, and which myths we need to fight against. Settling for anything less would be unconscionable.”

Yes, but plenty of students still need a full neuropsychological evaluation, so all those involved with a child’s learning and development can help the child in the best way. Most teachers are simply a blip on a child’s education career. Some teachers are outstanding and do try to improve each year by 10%, but the large onus will and should fall on the students themselves and their parents to learn how to model and learn how to be most successful.

NOT EVERYTHING can continue to fall on a teacher to develop, mold, create, and entertain.

[Jennifer]

3.2 It was fine, but it certainly can’t replace training. The middle part was repetitive and could have used a better editor. I appreciate the sentiment and motivation behind the book, but I’m not sure that I would wholeheartedly recommend it to most educators. I do appreciate the checklists as general reminders, however, I’m not sure this book could function alone from apprentice model training (and not that the book advocates for such). I have mixed reviews, essentially. There are also some portions that eschew research, after preaching for research-based practices. I found that a bit silly, if not careless. It’s one thing to acknowledge a blended approach, and I feel it’s only natural, but to espouse one thing, then do another, felt a bit odd to read.

[Peter Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 27 of 70 of 2019: For anyone who loves everything having to do with teaching and the brain: this book is for you! The intersection between neuroscience and education has always been a fuzzy one. But Whitman and Kellaher do an amazing job spelling out how the brain works; and the case for having teachers engage in professionally orchestrated professional learning. Knowing how the brain works not only increases a teacher’s efficacy when teaching; but it offers students a path of insight into learning that will help them retain what they’ve learned. A must read for educators and educational leaders!

[Carmen Rubino · Rating 4 out of 5]

The authors are educators who went in pursuit of a vibrant learning community. They learned about how the brain processes information and developed frameworks for thinking about and implementing education.

Overall, the book had information which reminded me of good instructional practices and gave me a place to begin developing others. There were some elements of research, specifically how memory is encoded and retrieved, which were not addressed as specifically as I had hoped. However, if you are looking for a book to promote reflection and directions of change, I recommend this one.

[Sherry Moyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read for educators frustrated by professional development that’s more of a catch-all than actual informative and habit changing ideas. This book offers researched based, practical classroom application suggestions regarding, but not limited to: brain science, mindset, research informed instruction (I copied this chapter and plan to use a lot of it!), memory and attention, homework, formative assessment, and research.

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely fascinating must-read for all teachers. I have already implemented some of the research-backed suggestions and it has made a world of difference for my middle schoolers. I am going to use a lot of the ideas in the book to plan my course to be developmentally appropriate for 6th, 7th and 8th graders, who all need different supports. I am excited to get started.

[Navin Valrani · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing and thought provoking read on MBE Science. A book that takes neuroplasticity as a concept and comes up with practical examples of classroom applications.

Made me want to learn more in the area of this developing science - very engaging on how the brain works when it comes to learning. Research backed and a must read for all teachers!

[Richard · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is refreshing to see educational researchers look at the data and leave room for flexibility within specific contexts. There are a few nuggets worth mining for, but I expect that most teachers who have been trained recently will not find much that is new or exciting.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you’re a teacher who hasn’t done much professional reading, this is a good summary of current research. I have read a number of books about current educational best practices, so it didn’t wow me.

[Jim Leesch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Should be required reading for anyone wishing to call themselves an education professional. Particularly important to administrators.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are a teacher, get this book and read it now! Here is how we should be approaching our pedagogy...there is so much wisdom and helpful direction in the book based on MBE ideas. Excellent!

[Jennifer Cernak · Rating 5 out of 5]

You don’t need to be a teacher to read this book. This introduction to neuroscience has been a game changer for the way I view education.

[Toni · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book for teachers to read about how the brain works and how we should be teaching to take advantage of this.

[Rebecca Epting · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of good strategies in this book based on neuroscience to help students learn. The professional development ideas at the end are really well sequenced and helpful.

[Bryan Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you teach, you have to read this book. I turned so many ideas I had on their heads and opened my eyes to new ways to look at both my students and my practices as a teacher.

[Cath Holden · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the better educational books I have read. The first half was better than the second half.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for every teacher. This book will stay on my desk for years to come as a reference and a reminder.

"The expert teacher is different than the experienced teacher."