Cathy Gangstad
Welcome...
What an exciting time to be an educator! Today we know more about how the brain works and learns than ever before. As educators, it is imperative we understand how the brain as it relates to memory, motivation, and learning. As CEO of Learning Consortium I am dedicated to empowering educators by translating current brain research into relevant, practical, and ready-to-implement information.
Real learning is not a spectator sport. Students don't learn a great deal when they sit in the classroom and listen to the teacher or when they are forced to memorize material and spit back the answers. Real learning happens when students talk about what they're learning, when they relate the learning to their prior knowledge, and when they apply the learning to their own lives. Real learning requires students to take information, make connections, and to elaborate and rehearse the material as they make it their own.
Life and learning are all about connections, cognitive connections and interpersonal connections. Research tells us it is the connections, the relationships, and the people in children's lives that make the biggest difference. We know that students who feel connected to school are more successful in school. For many students, school is an enriching experience because of the caring and committed educators they encountered during their school career.