Workshops

Sample comments from attendees:

"I have not been to a seminar that didn't use 'buzz' words or same ideas new name in a long time. Awesome job!"

"I've had other courses on brain-compatible teaching including numerous psych courses (at a state university) and pedagogy courses (major university). This one day seminar gave me more practical use and understanding-- I saw it IN CONTEXT! Great!"

Contact me for information about an exciting menu of options for preparing your teachers to be more effective in the instruction of students for whom English is not their first language. Information on this is not included below. Contact jzadina@uno.edu

The following topics can be presented as keynote, concurrent session or half-day or all-day workshop:

Using Brain Research to Enhance and Energize Instruction

This lively presentation, peppered with humor, music, and audience participation, engages and empowers educators by providing a foundation in research and theory on language learning in the brain and strategies for applying the research. Take a tour of a real brain via MRI brain scan and see how learning takes place in the brain through amazing visuals. See brain scans illustrating learning differences. Learn principles for instruction based on brain research and acquire strategies for addressing learning differences. Experience what it feels like to use alternative pathways in the brain. In addition, you will participate in activities that illustrate the principles and see how they can be applied. Participants will leave this session energized and excited about trying these new approaches to teaching and learning! Suitable for: all instructors

Using Brain Research to Enhance and Energize Language Instruction

This lively presentation, peppered with humor, music, and audience participation, engages and empowers educators by providing a foundation in research and theory on language learning in the brain and strategies for applying the research. Take a tour of a real brain via MRI brain scan and see how learning takes place in the brain through amazing visuals. You will gain a basic understanding of language processes in the brain, including second language processes, which will give you insight into the difficulties language learners have. Learn principles for instruction based on brain research and acquire strategies for addressing second language and learning differences. Experience what it feels like to use alternative pathways in the brain. In addition, you will participate in activities that illustrate the principles and see how they can be applied. Participants will leave this session energized and excited about trying these new approaches to teaching and learning! Suitable for: all instructors who work with second-language learners

Brain Research and Instruction: What Administrators Need to Know

This lively presentation, peppered with humor, music, and audience participation, engages and empowers educators. Take a tour of a real brain via MRI brain scan and see how multiple pathways are involved in learning. Learn how knowledge is constructed in the brain with implications for classroom practices. Learn principles for instruction based on brain research and acquire strategies for addressing learning differences. Experience what it feels like to use alternative pathways in the brain. Learn how you can make your school more brain-compatible to enhance learning. Participants will leave this session energized and excited about trying these new approaches to leading, teaching, and learning! Suitable for principals, superintendents, curriculum developers, school board members, etc.

Brain Research and Instruction: What Adjuncts Need to Know

This lively presentation, peppered with humor, music, and audience participation, engages and empowers educators. Learn what brain research tells you about classroom management, emotion, and learning differences. Take a tour of a real brain via MRI brain scan and see how multiple pathways are involved in learning. Learn how knowledge is constructed in the brain with implications for classroom practices. Learn principles for instruction based on brain research and acquire strategies for addressing learning differences. Experience what it feels like to use alternative pathways in the brain. Participants will leave this session energized and excited about trying these new approaches to leading, teaching, and learning! Suitable for adjuncts and college faculty (often through the university Division of Teaching and Learning)

NEW TALK ANXIETY AND THE BRAIN: OVERCOMING HIDDEN STRESS TRIGGERS

You know that high stress impedes learning. But do you know which subtle factors in the classroom increase stress? Learn hidden triggers and a strategy that improves attitude, behaviors, and stress. Topics include neuroanatomy of stress, priming, cognitive load, arousal, environmental factors, mirror neurons, modeling and Coping Self Efficacy theory. Suitable for any educator. Length: 1 hour

Is It All In Their Head? How Brain Research Informs Our Understanding of Learning Differences

A neuroscientist, former community college reading/English instructor, will bridge the gap between brain research and education, with a focus on how brain research helps us understand learning differences. Using Power Point illustrations of brain scans, this talk, presented in an entertaining and understandable manner, is designed to provide educators with tools for understanding brain research on learning and for understanding why and how students may differ in the way that they learn. Suitable for keynote or, combined with above talk, as a workshop, for anyone working with students, including tutoring center personnel, adjuncts, and counselors.

Understanding Neural Processes of Reading and Dyslexia.

(1 – 3 hours) Primarily for reading teachers and rather technical, this session explains how the brain reads, describes subtypes and theories of dyslexia, presents a neurobiological model of reading, and illustrates how individuals may vary in their processing of reading. This session does not provide specific classroom strategies. It is a background on research and theory. Suitable for reading teachers.

Keynote or session: Using Music to Enhance Learning.

(1 hour) This lively presentation describes how music affects the brain and body, how musicians’ brains are different, and discusses types of music and how they can be used effectively in the classroom. The overall purpose is to make sure that we are using music as the powerful tool that it is, and not use it carelessly in ways that might actually impede learning. Suitable for all instructors, especially as a fun keynote or to have some variety in Featured Presentations.

The Mystery of Attention: How the Brain Pays Attention

Effective instruction begins with capturing students’ attention. However, there is more to attention than you may realize. An educational neuroscientist shows how the brain pays attention with an amazing interactive experience. Learn about types of attention, the role of arousal and emotion, effect on retention, and strategies for enhancing attention.

SOMETHING NEW FOR ESL PRE-SERVICE AND IN-SERVICE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Announcing the Brain Research and Instruction Team!

Many of you have requested a second-day workshop after having my full-day workshop in which teachers could explore the material in more specific, hands-on ways. Some of you have requested that I come back with a follow-up for this at another time. Due to my research demands and tight schedule, this has not generally been possible. Furthermore, my content expertise is primarily in the Language Arts field. Therefore, I have put together a team of teachers that can meet your needs in many ways, including:

second-day or follow-up hands-on workshop
total package conference, in which I present the keynote and my team and I present the breakouts - ideal for symposia or small conferences or professional development over the entire year
options for Featured Presenters at a conference at which I am a keynoter so that the information can be broken down by content areas and the keynote followed up on in several ways
for Professional Development for school systems to maintain and reinforce the learning from my workshop throughout the year or over a period of years

With one exception, each topic is an individual presenter, so you would include as many presenters as you wish to have topics and concurrent sessions. Sessions could then be repeated as necessary as well, in order to have small group participation and to address individual interests.

Contact me at jzadina@uno.edu and jzadina@msn.com and I will send you information about the menu of options from the presentation team.