Welcome to the October 2017 edition of The Learning Brain.

This month there's a wide variety of learning topics for you to explore. From the long term memory molecule to how elite athlete's use of neuro feedback might help students and a mindfulness meditation app. Plus, if you teach or have teenagers take a look at the book of the month "Conquer Negative Thinking for Teens". 

Devon NL signature jpeg..jpg

Teacher in classroom-790098-edited.jpgIs this a Way to Ease Pressure on Teachers

Teachers are under so much pressure these days. Everything from managing students, dealing with parents, coping with increased curriculum demands, meeting ever higher community expectations....and much more. It seems like there's no way you can properly respond to all these presssures. But there is something that schools have been discovering that may help. Read more.

Latest Research

Thoughtful senior lady sitting at home with her fingers to her chin reminiscing and recalling fond memories, close up portrait-834139-edited.jpegKey to Long Term Memory Discovered

After a 30-year quest, a U.S.A. professor has discovered the molecule that stores long-term memories.

The discovery of the memory molecule resolves one of the oldest mysteries in neuroscience - how do our brains create and retain long-term memories?

The finding opens up radically new avenues of brain research which may one day be able to erase the memories that underlie trauma or drug addiction. Read more.

 

Black drawn silhouette of man on white backdrop-1-756356-edited.jpegBrain wiring affects how people perform specific tasks

The way a person's brain is 'wired' directly impacts how well they perform simple and complex tasks, according to a new study.

The brain is organised into different subnetworks, or "modules," that support distinct functions for different tasks, such as speaking, memorising and expressing emotion. Read more.


 

What's New

LSP Logo PMS 151.pngLindfield Speech Pathology & Learning Centre Has Moved

For those of you who attend my speech pathology clinic I would like to let you know that, after 20 years in Lindfield, we have moved just up the road to a brand new facility in Pymble. The new address is Lower Ground, 16 Suakin Street, Pymble. You can get directions to the new clinic here.

 

Young running man against digital media background-974949-edited.jpegClues From Elite Athlete's Training Might Help Learners?


Elite athletes are combining new wearable technology with neurofeedback software to lift their performances. And it seems to be working, according to a recent review of 112 scientific papers.

Similar wearable devices and technology can help students improve their attention skills and learning outcomes. Read more.

What's On?

The Educating with Neuroscience 2017 Conference expands to Asia in November

ENS Asia 2017 logo.pngThe premier educational neuroscience conference in Australia & New Zealand, ENS2017, is expanding to Asia in November following well attended events in Melbourne, Sydney and Auckland last month.

Principals, school administrators, teachers and other education leaders from Indonesia, Philippines and Thailand will be able to attend the Educating with Neuroscience 2017 Conference Asia (ENS2017 ASIA) in three cities - Jakarta (13th Nov), Manila (15th Nov) and Bangkok (18th Nov).

Learn more and get your early bird tickets here before they expire on 15th October.

 

Home Schooling

Homeschooling Rising Fastest for Students with Special Needs

Mother helping her son with homework at home-1.jpeg

Homeschooling is on the rise for special needs and disabled students. Advocacy groups say it is the best solution for these students who are finding traditional schools do not meet their needs.

Nationally, homeschooling numbers have almost doubled in the past couple of years. And they are still growing. For many parents and children, it is the only option left, according to academics analysing official figures. Read more.

The Learning Success Blog

Rear view of students raising hands with a teacher in the college lecture hall.jpeg

Is this your future classroom?


Sydney University has published a very interesting article about how its classrooms have changed.

Read a summary of the article, which starts with this comment: "Today, the classroom is flexible, creative, and agile – our students are logging in and learning from all over the globe.

 

Free Download

Maths Skills Booster – October Worksheets

Thanks again for sending through your Maths Skills Booster feedback. It is always great to see how students are benefiting from this simple tool. Here are a few of the comments we received last month:Numbers one through six painted on lanes of weathered track.jpeg

  • "Structured activity that allows our children to monitor their improvement".
  • "Improved confidence in maths in general".
  • "Researched material that has a sequence proven to improve maths skills for our students".
Ready for your new set of Maths Skills Booster Worksheets? You can download the October worksheets here.

Did you miss out on the original Maths Skills Booster? You can get it here.

 

self regulation ebook.pngSelf-regulation strategies for students with learning disabilities

Students with learning disabilities often encounter academic difficulties, at least in part, because they don’t have effective strategies for working through challenges.

Download this free eBookon self-regulation strategies for students with learning disabilities. 

Conquer negative thinking for teens book.jpgBook of the Month

Conquer Negative Thinking for Teens

A Workbook to Break the Nine Thought Habits That Are Holding You Back

This workbook offers a powerful technique called cognitive restructuring to help teens reframe their thoughts, regulate their emotions, become a more flexible thinker, and stop letting their thoughts define who they are and how they feel.

smiling mind app.jpgApp of the Month

Smiling Mind

Smiling Mind is a free mindfulness meditation website and app, developed by an Australian non-profit with support from ReachOut.com. It is "modern meditation for young people" featuring guided meditations with the objective of managing stress, increasing resilience and assisting in reducing mental health risks in later life. Suitable for ages 7 to adult.