The Teacher and the Teenage Brain

by John Coleman

The Teacher and the Teenage Brain is essential reading for all teachers and students of education. This book offers a fascinating introduction to teenage brain development and shows how this knowledge has changed the way we understand young people. It provides a critical insight into strategies for improving relationships in the classroom and helping both adults and teenagers cope better with this stage of life.

Dr John Coleman shows how teachers and students can contribute to healthy brain development. The book includes information about memory and learning, as well as guidance on motivation and the management of stress. Underpinned by his extensive work with schools, Dr Coleman offers advice on key topics including the importance of sleep, the social brain, moodiness, risk and risk-taking and the role of hormones. This book is extensively illustrated with examples from classrooms and interviews with teachers. It explicitly links research and practice to create a comprehensive, accessible guide to new knowledge about teenage brain development and its importance for education.



Accompanied by a website providing resources for running workshops with teachers and parents, as well as an outline of a lesson plan for students, The Teacher and the Teenage Brain offers an innovative approach to the understanding of the teenage brain. This book represents an important contribution to teacher training and to the enhancement of learning in the classroom.

Genres: Psychology, Education

150 pages, ebook

Published May 26, 2021

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

John Coleman
John Coleman, d. 1904

Reviews

[Kacey Blair · Rating 4 out of 5]

In The Teacher and the Teenage Brain, John Coleman examines how the brain develops during adolescence and how this impacts learning and behavior in the classroom. He explains how educators can use this knowledge to build stronger connections with their students and create more effective teaching strategies. The book offers a deeper understanding of how teenagers think, learn, and process emotions, cognition, and social interactions. Coleman’s book is a valuable resource for teachers who want to better understand teenage behavior and learning. His explanations of the brain’s changes during adolescence are eye-opening. While some chapters are a bit dense for non-experts, the practical advice and real-world examples are very helpful for teachers. I especially appreciated his emphasis on empathy and building connections, though I would have liked to see more specific examples of how to apply these strategies. Coleman writes in a clear, engaging way that makes complex ideas easy to understand. He strikes a good balance between scientific information and practical advice, making the book accessible for both experienced educators and those just starting out.

[Arianna Frosch · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Teacher and the Teenage Age Brain by Dr. John Coleman offers a comprehensive and accessible look at the adolescent brain, providing educators with valuable insights into the cognitive and emotional changes that occur during the teenage years. The book blends scientific research with practical advice, offering teachers strategies to better connect with and support their students. Coleman’s clear writing and engaging examples make complex neurological concepts easy to understand, making it an ideal resource for those working with teenagers. While the book is insightful, some of the recommendations can feel a bit generalized, lacking in tailored solutions for the diverse experiences within classrooms. Nonetheless, it remains a highly informative and useful read for educators. Rating: 8/10.

[Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an excellent book that provided a fascinating and in-depth look into the minds of young people. It offered valuable insights into the neurological development of teenagers, specifically focusing on why they often engage in risky decision-making. The author does a fantastic job of presenting complex brain science in a way that is both accessible and engaging. By connecting behavioral changes directly to neurological shifts during adolescence, the book sheds light on the reasons behind teenagers’ impulsive behaviors and their heightened drive for exploration and thrill-seeking. Overall, it’s an eye-opening read for anyone interested in understanding the connection between brain development and teenage behavior.

[Kristofer Torres · Rating 4 out of 5]

7/10 – This book offers an insightful look into the complexities of brain function, exploring how the brain processes information and triggers the release of hormones in response to various situations. It does a good job explaining the intricate ways in which our minds work, making complex topics accessible to the reader. The author provides clear explanations and engaging examples, making it an enjoyable read for anyone curious about the science behind human behavior and brain activity. A solid choice for those interested in neuroscience basics."

[Kori Gililland · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author delves deeply into each topic, providing clear explanations that enhance the reader’s understanding. Additionally, the author supports the discussion with relevant statistics and well-researched information, offering data that adds credibility and depth to the arguments presented. These statistics and research findings make complex topics more accessible and comprehensible for readers, adding a layer of authenticity to the writing. Overall, this approach makes for an engaging and informative read, ensuring that readers gain a comprehensive grasp of the subject.

[Alyssa · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Teacher and the Teenage Brain offers a solid overview of how the adolescent brain develops and how this impacts teaching and learning. The book does a good job of explaining complex neurological concepts in a way that’s accessible for educators. However, some parts felt a bit repetitive, and I was hoping for more concrete, actionable strategies for the classroom. Overall, it’s a useful resource for understanding teenagers' unique challenges, but it might leave experienced teachers wanting a bit more depth in terms of practical applications.

[Jayden Grissett · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Teen and the Teenage Brain offers a thoughtful look into the science behind teenage behavior and development. It breaks down complex neuroscience concepts into clear, relatable insights, making it easy for both parents and teens to understand how brain changes impact decision-making, learning, and emotions. While it’s very informative, some sections felt a bit heavy on detail, slowing the flow. Still, this book is a valuable resource for anyone wanting to support teens in navigating this transformative time with empathy and understanding.

[Carleigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

it was alright

I found this book to be quite wordy and repetitive. It gave a lot of insight on how the teenage Brain develops, but would only really get into how teachers should respond until the very end of the chapters. What really annoyed me was how repetitive it seemed to be. I could not even tell you how many times the same hormones cause something with the same exact reasoning. I get it, let’s move on to the actual topic now please. I wouldn’t recommend this book to anyone and everyone but maybe to someone who is extremely interested in neurological ideas.

[Shyloh-Dawn Fermaldibryde · Rating 2 out of 5]

Despite the beautiful visual on the cover, this book was lacking. The book is very short and the last 20% of the book (chapters 9, 10, 11 + one of the two appendices) was focused on the workshops he’s developed. The first part of the book was very very surface level. This might be a good book if you know nothing about brain development but if you have any knowledge of neurodevelopment or teens, this is probably not the book for you.

[Alexandria Shaffer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish my parents had owned a book like this when I was growing up and transitioning from high school to college. It would have been such a helpful resource for guiding me through that stage, offering a parenting perspective rather than a strict teacher’s approach. This book provides invaluable insights for teaching young adults, helping parents to better understand and support their children's growth in a compassionate, structured, and relatable way.

[Elizabeth Otterburn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fascinating and useful exploration of the teenage years.An incredibly valuable insight into the issues faced by teenagers, parents, carers and professionals as they navigate this crucial stage of development.

[Welzen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Este libro se supone, y suponer es mucho, que habla de cómo los profesores pueden mejorar en sus métodos de enseñanza si conocen cómo funciona la mente de los adolescentes, cuyo cerebro aún no está plenamente desarrollado como la de un adulto.

Si quieres alguna vez escribir un trabajo de clases (bien instituto o en la universidad, o si tienes mucho morro en el trabajo) sin gastar muchas neuronas y tiempo, aquí tienes el ejemplo perfecto de cómo hacerlo.
Este libro son ciento cincuenta páginas que puedo resumir en un folio, los ciento cuarenta y nueve folios siguientes son: bibliografía (muy escasa), referencias a libros anteriores del autor, párrafos que has copiado de la primera página pero escritos de manera diferentes, párrafos que has escrito en la primera página tal cual, alguna que otra observación particular, referencias sin valor científico, mucho "aún no se sabe mucho sobre este tema" o "falta investigación", o algo parecido. Más referencias a libros anteriores. Comentarios sobre un programa sobre la mejora de la educación sin explicar dicho programa en detalle, solo comentar que ocurre en un lugar perdido del campo inglés y que todos están muy contentos con él, recomendar que los padres deben tener paciencia con los hijos, referencias de los capítulos anteriores, resumen del capítulo, referencias de libros anteriores, copia de lo que dice en la primera página pero en versión3... Creo que ya tienes una idea sobre este libro.

En fin, yo pensaba que iba a encontrar algo interesante, pero como se dice, mi gozo en en un pozo. Lo único bueno que tengo que decir es que me sorprendió cómo de vacío de contenido puede estar un libro que se supone que es de divulgación. Un artista quiso vender por millones una obra de arte que consistía en un espacio sin nada, vendía aire. Aquí no vendes aires, pero casi.

¿Recomendado? No, mejor te lees un artículo de esos que a veces aparecen en un diario de tirada nacional que tratan sobre el tema, y ya estás servido.


Como nota final, ahora entiendo porque era una lectura gratis de una famosa plataforma digital.
:(