How the Brain Learns:

Translating Brain Research into Educational Practice

Research on how the brain learns continues to provide fresh and fascinating insights that educators can use to guide students toward success. This workshop explores those research findings and examines ways to translate them into concrete and effective actions and strategies for the classroom. There will definitely be some surprises!

Topics Include:

1. The Emergence of Educational Neuroscience. An explanation of how this new field of scientific inquiry developed, and the impact its findings are having on teaching and learning.
2. How the Brain Processes Information. We examine a model that helps explain how the human brain processes incoming information. It displays the sensory register, as well as the characteristics and limitations of working (temporary) memory. Most importantly, it describes the criteria that the brain uses to decide whether to store new information into long-term memory or to just forget it.
3. The Inescapable Impact of Social and Emotional Learnings. Only recently have we discovered the substantial impact that the brain's social and emotional systems have on acquiring new learning. The impact cannot be ignored if we expect students to engage and process the learning objectives.
4. Memory, Retention, and Learning. Teachers would like their students to remember forever what they were taught. But does that happen? We look at the stages and types of memory, as well as the factors that enhance or impede the retention of learning. Some effective and teacher-tested strategies that increase retention of learning will be explained.
5. The Power of Transfer. Perhaps the most important principle of learning, we explore the positive and negative ways that transfer affects the acquisition of new learning, and how teachers can effectively use transfer to increase student achievement.

About Dr David A. Sousa

Dr. David A. Sousa is an international consultant in educational neuroscience and author of 16 books that suggest ways that educators and parents can translate current brain research into strategies for improving learning. A member of the Cognitive Neuroscience Society, he has conducted workshops in hundreds of school districts on brain research, instructional skills, and science education at the Pre-K to 12 and university levels. He has made presentations to more than 200,000 educators at national conventions of educational organizations and to regional and local school districts across the U.S., Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Asia.

Dr. Sousa has a bachelor's degree in chemistry from Bridgewater State University in Massachusetts, a Master of Arts in Teaching degree in science from Harvard University, and a doctorate from Rutgers University. His teaching experience covers all levels. He has taught senior high school science, served as a K-12 director of science, a supervisor of instruction, and a district superintendent in New Jersey schools. He was an adjunct professor of education at Seton Hall University for 10 years and a visiting lecturer at Rutgers University.

Prior to his career in New Jersey, Dr. Sousa taught at the American School of Paris (France), and served for five years as a Foreign Service Officer and science advisor at the USA diplomatic missions in Geneva (Switzerland) and Vienna (Austria).

Dr. Sousa has edited science books and published dozens of articles in leading journals on staff development, science education, and educational research. His most popular books for educators include: How the Brain Learns, now in its fourth edition; How the Special Needs Brain Learns, second edition; How the Gifted Brain Learns; How the Brain Learns to Read; How the Brain Influences Behavior; How the ELL Brain Learns; Differentiation and the Brain (with Carol Tomlinson) and How the Brain Learns Mathematics, which was selected by the Independent Publishers' Association as one of the best professional development books of 2008. The Leadership Brain suggests ways for educators to lead today's schools more effectively. His books have been published in French, Spanish, Chinese, Arabic, Korean, Russian, and several other languages. His latest book, Brainwork: The Neuroscience of How We Lead Others, is written for business and organizational leaders.

Dr. Sousa is past president of the National Staff Development Council (now called Learning Forward). He has received numerous awards from professional associations, school districts, and educational foundations for his commitment to research, staff development, and science education. He received the Distinguished Alumni Award and an honorary doctorate from Bridgewater (Mass.) State University, and an honorary doctorate in humane letters from Gratz College in Philadelphia.

Dr. Sousa has been interviewed by Matt Lauer on the NBC Today Show, by other television programs, and by National Public Radio about his work with schools using brain research. He makes his home in south Florida.

Registration Details

Course Code: DS010223

Topic: How the Brain Learns: Translating Brain Research into Educational Practice

Presenter: Dr David A. Sousa

Date: 17 February 2023, Friday

Time: 7.00 pm to 10.00 pm Singapore Time GMT+8

Mode of Delivery: via Zoom

Closing date: 20 January 2023, Friday

Click Here to Register

Workshop Fee: S$200.00 per participant. For every five paid participants, the sixth participant will attend for free. Fees are subject to GST.

Other Information: Registration is on a first-come-first-serve basis. No refunds will be made for cancellations or in the case of absentees. The Academy accepts replacements for registered participants who cannot attend for whatever reasons.

School/Cluster-Based Workshop Registration
Please contact Joseph Loy by email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or tel: 6363 0330 on the cost of conducting the workshop.