The Science of Learning Blog

Language-Based Learning Disabilities and Auditory Processing Disorders

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 15:12:30 PST

New research centering on the electrical brain signals picked up by EEG is clarifying the relationship between auditory processing and language learning.

Underachieving Students: Why They Struggle and How Educators Can Help

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 16:04:17 PST

How early does environment begin to shape children into successful students or underachieving students? The answer has to do, in part, with how early babies start acquiring the skills needed to learn to read.

Growing Together: Connectomes, College Students, and Practical Tips for Providers

Tue, 4 Jun 2013 16:07:50 PST

Find out how Fast ForWord helped college students become better writers, and learn about connectomes—comprehensive maps of the brain’s neural connections. Click here to view presentations by Dr. Paula Tallal & Dr. Martha S. Burns.

Student Engagement Strategies That Can Help Your Learners Read Better

Tue, 28 May 2013 14:51:58 PST

With limited instructional time and the added pressures of today’s classrooms, what should we be doing to ensure every student leaves the classroom able to read better than they did when they arrived?

Robot Teachers and Video Games: Tech Tools for Students with Autism

Tue, 21 May 2013 14:00:33 PST

Researchers are discovering that some technologies can elicit learning breakthroughs for students with autism. The trick is making school feel less threatening and more predictable.

Auditory Processing Skills and Reading Disorders in Children

Tue, 14 May 2013 16:17:59 PST

It’s not exactly news that there’s a relationship between auditory processing and reading disorders, but mounting evidence points to a “highly significant” correlation.

Response to Intervention and Special Ed Stats: Progress Report

Tue, 7 May 2013 14:26:12 PST

Very few learners who enter special ed ever exit—only about 3%. The Response to Intervention model seeks to change that statistic. How has it performed so far?

The Parent Trap: Getting Your Struggling Learner to Do Homework Independently

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 14:42:04 PST

We want our children to be independent learners, but getting them there can be difficult. These tips can help.

Why Dr. Timothy Rasinski Thinks Reading Fluency Should Be “Hot!”

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 14:50:25 PST

Reading fluency is often misunderstood and undervalued by educators. Find out why boosting fluency is one of the keys to improving comprehension.

Growing Together: Join Our Annual Visionary Conference on May 17th

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 13:46:37 PST

This year’s theme is Growing Together, and we’re thrilled to announce esteemed presenters Dr. Paula Tallal and Dr. Martha Burns, who will be sharing exciting new research on the brain and learning.

Dyslexia, Auditory Processing Disorder, and the Road to College: Maria’s Story

Tue, 9 Apr 2013 15:01:54 PST

What happens when a mother realizes that her dreams for her child may be shattered because that child struggles with auditory processing issues, dyslexia, or other challenges never imagined?

Reading and Riding: How Learning to Read is Like Learning to Ride a Bike

Tue, 2 Apr 2013 14:17:20 PST

Most learning, it seems, is facilitated by an assist, scaffold, or support provided by another. Learning to read and learning to ride a bike are no exception.

Instilling a Love of Reading: What Every Teacher and Parent Should Know

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 15:17:51 PST

Children who do not read well will not be inspired to read or to practice reading more. So, how do we get our reluctant readers to love reading?

Squelching Curiosity: How Pre-Teaching Vocabulary Stifles Learning

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 15:01:00 PST

“Students, today we are going to learn about: like terms, monomials, binomials, trinomials, and ultimately polynomials. Please take out your notebook and write these terms down…”

Brain Myths in Education: Making Sense of Fact vs. Fiction

Tue, 12 Mar 2013 14:47:30 PST

Some “brain myths” that have found their way into education are right on target, while others are outright wrong. Can you tell the difference?

Daily Reading Practice: More Important Than You Would Ever Imagine

Tue, 5 Mar 2013 15:45:50 PST

Daily reading practice in our classrooms is essential for students who do not read regularly at home. Find out what a difference just 10 minutes of modeled reading can make.

Adolescent Learning: Why Reading Interventions Aren't Working

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 16:04:44 PST

Adolescents have flatlined in reading in the US, while younger learners have improved. Find out what can be done in this recorded webinar with Dr. Martha Burns.

How to Create an Effective Summer Learning Program

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 17:21:20 PST

Yes, you can create an effective summer learning program, and it's easier with technology. Find out what the Rand Corporation's report on summer school recommends.

Early Childhood Education Funding: Federal, State, and Private Resources

Tue, 5 Feb 2013 17:42:52 PST

Recognition of the importance of pre-school programs is growing, and so is the availability of early childhood education funding. Start your grant search here with our big link list.

"What’s in the Common Core, but Missing in Your Curriculum” webinar by Dr. Martha Burns

Tue, 29 Jan 2013 18:07:51 PST

In a recent webinar, Dr. Martha Burns discussed how the Common Core State Standards focus more on the “process of learning” than any previous educational standards. She reviewed the importance of executive functions to higher order thinking skills and shared-- how the Scientific Learning products can help students master the skills needed to be college and career ready.

RTI is a Verb

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 14:52:04 PST

Dr. Chris Weber explains how Response to Intervention (RTI) has been over-complicated.

Learning How to Learn

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 16:43:58 PST

What are some strategies teachers can use related to the Common Core State Standards that ensure students learn how to learn? Read more as Dr. Martha Burns shares her story about the 3^rd grade teacher that changed her life forever.

5 Trends in Education for 2013

Tue, 8 Jan 2013 16:14:42 PST

The 5 trends in education for 2013 include flipped instruction and making learning authentic with video games and social media. What do you think education trends will look like in the coming year?

Happy Holidays!

Mon, 24 Dec 2012 16:02:51 PST

The staff at Scientific Learning wish you the happiest of holidays and a safe and rewarding New Year!

How are Reading Skills Related to White Matter in the Brain (and Why Does It Matter)?

Tue, 18 Dec 2012 14:50:00 PST

Read about the latest brain research on what happens in the brains of struggling and typical readers and why it matters to us as educators.

How The Arts Can Help Students Excel

Tue, 11 Dec 2012 16:40:09 PST

In recent years, the arts in education have been seen as a less valuable piece of the curriculum. Are we hurting our students by not exposing them to the arts? Read how arts education actually correlates to higher student achievement.

Cognitive Learning Styles in the Student-Centered Classroom

Tue, 4 Dec 2012 14:01:13 PST

Let students find their own learning style! Hear from Cory Armes how we can help each student reach his or her potential.

Selective Hearing: How Your Brain Extracts Meaning from the Noise

Tue, 27 Nov 2012 14:37:21 PST

How can selective hearing help your students in the classroom? New research indicates that selective hearing can help us focus on one voice in the sea of other noises and how we can benefit from this.

How a Low Performing School Achieved Double-Digit Gains on the California Standards Tests (CSTs)

Tue, 20 Nov 2012 15:23:00 PST

Dr. Martha Burns from Scientific Learning and Mr. Charles Wilson, Principal of Korematsu Discovery Academy, presented a live webinar that discussed how Korematsu achieved a double-digit test-score gain and emerged from PI status in only two school years

Early Predictors of Math Success

Tue, 13 Nov 2012 15:06:28 PST

Understanding fractions are critical to future math and algebra success. What simple things can be done to help young learners today for their success tomorrow?

What Educators May Not Know about the Neuroscience of Learning

Tue, 6 Nov 2012 14:49:18 PST

In a recent webinar, Dr. Paula Tallal discussed her original research on auditory processing, its relationship to language development, and the far-reaching effect that deficiencies in those area can have on learning.

Teaching Reading in Science Class: A Common Core Trend?

Tue, 30 Oct 2012 16:30:56 PST

With the trend of non-fiction material on statewide reading assessments growing, administrators have begun asking teachers in subjects other than English Language Arts (ELA) to start incorporating more reading and writing tasks in their courses.

Eric Jensen Links New Brain Research With Teaching in New Webinar

Tue, 23 Oct 2012 15:16:44 PST

In a recent webinar for Scientific Learning Corporation, author Eric Jensen summarized current research about the brain and strategies that could be implemented in the classroom with all students.

How to Re-Wire your Burned-Out Brain

Thu, 18 Oct 2012 14:23:21 PST

Feeling burned out? Check out these tips from Dr. Martha S. Burns on how to motivate you and your brain again.

Demystifying Executive Functions in Preschool Children

Tue, 9 Oct 2012 11:45:45 PST

In a recent webinar, Dr. William Jenkins, a leader in the field of childhood brain development and one of the founders of Scientific Learning, presented on the importance of executive functions in the development of preschool students.

Brain-Building for Third Grade Reading Proficiency

Tue, 2 Oct 2012 14:22:46 PST

Dr. Martha Burns talks about the sobering statistics related to third grade reading proficiency and offers solutions to get struggling readers back on track.

Using Twitter in School: 4 Ways Students and Teachers Can Connect With the World

Thu, 27 Sep 2012 14:57:02 PST

Are you using Twitter in the classroom with your students? Here are some tips on how to use Twitter to connect with the world.

Dopamine and Learning: What The Brain’s Reward Center Can Teach Educators

Tue, 18 Sep 2012 15:34:54 PST

How important is dopamine to learning? Read more to learn about how dopamine is produced and how learning is retained in the brain.

Behavior Problems in School: Empowering Students to Self Discipline

Tue, 11 Sep 2012 13:57:43 PST

Students with behavior problems will not “just grow out of it”. The same skill deficiencies that affect their success in school will affect their success in the workplace, if they make it that far. What can be done?

Join Us for Our 2012 Fall Webinar Series for Educators

Tue, 4 Sep 2012 15:37:33 PST

Our fall webinars begin this week and include topics on how the brain learns and how to increase student achievement. Register today!

21st Century Learning: Preparing Students Today

Tue, 28 Aug 2012 15:21:33 PST

In today’s schools, is keeping up with technology enough? What other demands is the 21st century placing on learners, and how can we prepare our students to meet them?

Introverted Students in the Classroom: Nurturing Their Hidden Strengths

Tue, 21 Aug 2012 14:01:18 PST

Academic ability is only one factor determining a student’s ability to succeed in the classroom. Find out how temperament factors in, such as whether the learner is an introvert or extrovert.

Common Core Reading Recommendations and the Role of the Teacher

Tue, 14 Aug 2012 12:12:15 PST

The Common Core take the position that students should be consistently challenged by the texts presented to them. Find out how you can help your students meet the new standards.

Back to School with the Summer Olympics: 3 Reading and Writing Activities for the Classroom

Thu, 9 Aug 2012 13:57:04 PST

Looking for some fun reading and writing activities to do with your students? Try these, inspired by the Summer Olympics!

The Flipped Classroom: A Pedagogy for Differentiating Instruction and Teaching Essential Skills

Tue, 31 Jul 2012 12:23:56 PST

What might a successful flipped classroom look like? Read more to find out how the flipped classroom can benefit both students and teachers.

Why Prosody Matters: The Importance of Reading Aloud with Expression

Thu, 26 Jul 2012 15:47:04 PST

Reading aloud isn’t just for beginning readers. Expressive oral reading is a foundational reading skill that all students should be developing between first and fifth grade. Find out why.

Human Intelligence and the Brain: Mapping Intellectual Ability

Tue, 24 Jul 2012 14:14:51 PST

Have you ever wondered what structures or areas in your brain allow you to understand language? Read books? Appreciate music? Find out what today’s researchers are discovering as they work to map intelligence in the brain.

Reading to Learn: Meeting the Challenge of Third Grade Reading Proficiency

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 16:43:30 PST

Data shows that about two thirds of third grade students are reading one or more levels below proficiency. Many states have passed legislation to improve third grade reading proficiency, but how can educators help their students accelerate their acquisition of the reading skills needed to meet academic expectations?

How Language Immersion Helps English Language Learners Succeed in School

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 16:58:03 PST

The 'double whammy' for many young ELLs is that they experience poverty as well, and often do not get enough early language experience and exposure. How does early language help, and what kind of support do parents need to help their children succeed?

Teaching Metacognition: The Value of Thinking About Thinking

Tue, 10 Jul 2012 14:55:50 PST

How can teaching metacognition impact the way a student learns? Find out what the research says, and discover metacognitive strategies that can be applied to any subject at every grade level.