Learning That Sticks

"If you wanted to create an education environment that was directly opposed to what the brain was good at doing, you probably would design something like a classroom" Natural learning process.

"If you wanted to create an education environment that was directly opposed to what the brain was good at doing, you probably would design something like a classroom" Natural learning process. The human brain is an incredible learning machine, constantly filtering and processing vast amounts of data. It seeks patterns, driven by curiosity and the desire to close knowledge gaps. This natural learning process is often at odds with traditional classroom environments. Curiosity as a driver. Curiosity primes the brain for learning by releasing dopamine, the same "reward molecule" triggered by winning prizes or eating sweets. This makes learning inherently enjoyable and addictive when driven by genuine interest. Educators can tap into this by designing learning experiences that reflect how we naturally learn, making the process more engaging and effective for students of all ages.

"All new learning requires a foundation of prior knowledge" Six phases of learning. The learning process can be broken down into six distinct phases: Become interested Commit to learning Focus on new learning Make sense of learning Practice and reflect Extend and apply Building on prior knowledge. Each phase builds upon the previous one, with new information connecting to existing knowledge. This model provides a framework for educators to design more effective learning experiences, ensuring that each step in the process is addressed and supported.

"We remember things much better the more elaborately we encode what we encounter, especially if we can personalize it" Emotional engagement. To capture students' attention, learning experiences should tap into emotions and curiosity. This can be achieved through: Creating mystery or suspense Presenting cognitive conflicts or unexpected information Structuring academic controversies Connecting learning to positive emotions Personalization. When students can relate new information to their own experiences or interests, they are more likely to encode it deeply. Educators should strive to help students make personal connections to the material, increasing engagement and retention.

"If we want students to commit to learning, we must show them how learning is relevant to them—in short, what's in it for them." Relevance and motivation. Students are more likely to engage with and retain information when they understand its relevance to their lives. This can be achieved by: Providing clear learning objectives and success criteria Framing learning around big ideas or essential questions Encouraging students to set personal learning goals Helping students see the path to mastery Intrinsic motivation. While extrinsic rewards can be effective for simple tasks, intrinsic motivation is more powerful for complex learning. Educators should focus on helping students develop an…