Learning, Education, and the Brain

All aspects of human learning -- be it learning to read, memorizing historical facts, or remembering the route to a new restaurant -- depend on the brain’s ability to adapt in response to input from the environment. In this course, we will explore the brain’s learning systems to understand how the human brain changes both structurally and functionally in response to learning experiences. Using insights from educational neuroscience and the learning sciences, we will study the relationship between neuroplasticity and different forms of learning, explore the impact of educational interventions on the brain, and debate the implications of neuroscience-informed educational practices. We will also have the option to analyze neuroimaging datasets to gain hands-on experience exploring learning in the brain.

Ethan Roy is a PhD Candidate at the Stanford University Graduate School of Education. He graduated from Middlebury College in 2015./