The science behind how students learn

Today’s rapidly changing world requires that students have deeper knowledge, skills and competencies in order to be successful. John Almarode, professor of education at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, studies what science says about how the brain absorbs information and translates his findings into teaching strategies.

“Understanding how students learn puts us, as teachers, in the best position to make decisions in our classroom that align with that understanding,” says Almarode.

With a focus on factors that have the greatest impact on student growth and achievement, Almarode looks at each student as a unique individual with their own set of wildly diverse and specific learning patterns— each affecting the ways they show up to the classroom and learn.

“The teachers, teacher leaders and administrators in our schools work so hard and they have no time to spare in the day. Therefore, we have to ensure that what we learn actually makes the art and science of teaching more efficient– not just the piling on of one more thing.”

Almarode will give the keynote speech at the Learning and the Brain conference on Nov. 22-24 in Boston, Massachusetts and is available to discuss the science of learning in education.

“The struggle is really what makes this profession so beautiful – the uniqueness of each student, class, grade level and school.  We should embrace this and not cast this complexity as a downside of teaching and learning.”

If you are interested in speaking with Almarode, please contact me. I would be happy to connect you.

Media contact: Hannah Robinson, robinshl@jmu.edu, 520-222-2808

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