1. Learning: What Works, What Doesn’t John Williams Academic Life Coach Date School

2. What You’ll Get From this Presentation Practical Application of what educators and scientists have shown to increase learning Tips and Tools that do work with teenagers Some ideas and action steps for yourself

3. A Word about Academic Life Coaching Dedicated to helping students successfully navigate high school and the college application process Founded in 2004 Organization of nearly 50 Academic Life Coaches located internationally from Boston to Dubai As seen in CNN, Huffington Post, MSNBC, Wall Street Journal, and the Associated Press

4. Our Programs Work. Over the past seven years, students who learned skills like this in our program experienced: 93% Reported feeling more confident 82% Reported less stress 79% Reported improved communication with parents 100% Accepted to 1 or more of their top 3 college choices 0.81 Average GPA boost (of students who were not already earning a 4.0)

5. Learning To gain knowledge or understanding of, or skill in, by study, instruction, or investigation.

6. 3 Most Common Categories of Learning that Middle and High Schools Require Strict Factual Memorization Applying Concepts Analysis and Creative Thinking

7. Percentage Breakdown of Each Type of Learning* *Based on an analysis of Academic Life Coaching clients’ assignments and assessments over the 2010-2011 academic year. Determined by point total of each assessment, excluding non-quantifiable assessments such as class participation but including extra-credit

8. Conclusion of the 2011 Academic Life Coach Study of Assessments The bulk - 83% - of learning that is assessed in High School is based on memorizing facts and applying concepts (objective information). Only 17% is based on creativity and analysis (subjective information).

9. 3 Main Factors in Learning Context to place new information Mid-term memory Quality of the teacher-student relationship

10. Tools Context: Academic Thinking Styles Memory: Memory Styles Relationship with Teachers: Empathy

11. Academic Thinking Styles The Brain Creates Meaning by seeking answers to these questions: What? Why? How?

12. Academic Thinking Styles (and Memory styles) act like gateways to open other channels of thinking and memory

13. Example #1: History Founding of Public Education in the United States

14. What? Horace Mann started the beginning education system in the United States in Massachusetts 1832 Established the Common School Journal emphasized six principles (start of another What/Why/How note) 1852 established Prussian Education System in Massachusetts

15. Horace Mann Massachusetts

16. Why? Mann’s moral beliefs in the value of education for all citizens Strong influence of Prussian system, which sought to educate all citizens using state money Believed that the nation with the best educated population would dominate the next century

17. How? 1840’s Mann visited Prussia, wrote in-depth annual reports Garnered grassroots support for system in Massachusetts Other states followed the example set in Massachusetts

18. xy -5-7 -4-5 -3 -2 1 03 15 27 39 411 513 2x+3=y Example #2: Math Slope and Y-intercept of a Linear Equation

19. 2x+3=y What slope x-variable y-intercept y-variable

20. 2x+3=y Why? slope y-intercept The key question to ask: Why does it work mathematically? y-intercept slope

21. 2x+3=y How slope =Rise/Run 2/1=2 y-intercept: when x is zero, what does y equal? y-intercept slope 2(0)+3=y 3=y

22. Applying Thinking Styles In class: Identify what your own thinking style. Identify your teacher’s thinking style. Test Taking: Identify what kinds of questions you’re being asked and study to match the test Know your strengths, account for your weaknesses and blind spots.

23. Academic Thinking Styles become a map for students to ensure that they are putting the material into a context as well as approaching it from each angle (What/Why/How)

24. Memory Styles Students are most often tested for their short and mid-term memory (not long term)

25. Memory Styles* Visual Audio Kinesthetic

26. Visual: the most effective and efficient. education

27. The ideal for both Academic Thinking Styles and Memory Styles is to be proficient and comfortable with each style.

28. Student-Teacher Relationship: Empathy Looking at the classroom from the teacher’s point-of-view

29. Most important to students: grades Most important to teachers: learning

30. Empathy Usually Leads to Two Things: 1)Students focus on learning in their communication with teachers 2)They are more proactive in studying

31. Review Practical Application of what educators and scientists have shown to increase learning Tips and Tools that do work with teenagers Some ideas and action steps for yourself

32. Thank You For Attending!! I value your feedback. Please take a moment to fill out the feedback form.