Neuroscience insights focus of education forum

Education leaders from across the education spectrum are meeting at the ninth annual Education Leaders Forum this week to focus on insights from neuroscience into boosting student achievement and leading learning change.

‘Brain Changing & Mind Shifting’ are the twin themes of the forum, being held yesterday and today in Auckland.

“The programme has a dynamic mix of learning pathfinders, researchers, education leaders, learning practitioners, parents and students,” forum convener Lyall Lukey says. “It will be an eye-opening and mind-set-shifting two days.”

Now in their ninth year, the annual forums provide education leaders with a regular collaborative opportunity to share perspectives and experiences. Each event is designed as a springboard for participants to take ideas and resources back to their own learning communities in order to enhance learning for both staff and students.

“Connecting educators across the different sectors increases the richness of knowledge sharing and provides a great opportunity for present and aspiring education leaders to pick up on new research and emerging practice and to reflect and plan ahead for 2016 and beyond,” Mr Lukey says.

Key speakers include Barbara Arrowsmith-Young, the Canadian author of The Woman Who Changed Her Brain and founder of the Arrowsmith Programme, Prof. Peter Thorne from the Centre for Brain Research at Auckland University on some learning implications of new neuroscience and Sydney-based Change Leadership expert Anne Riches on overcoming resistance and facilitating change through the lens of neuroscience.

Other speakers include Dr David Moreau from the Centre for Brain Research on evidence-based interventions, Cognitive Neuroscientist Dr Anna J. Wilson on how neuroscience can better inform education, Shirley Maihi the Principal at Finlayson Park School on how the Arrowsmith Programme works in her school, Vaughan Couillault the Principal at James Cook High on shifting mind-sets, Carla McNeil the Principal at Korakonui School on choosing and implementing the Brain Gain programme, and Julie Nugent from Saint Kentigern College on Cogmed Working Memory Training.

Education Leaders Forum 2015 is supported by the Ministry of Education, Schneider Electric (NZ), the Intueri Education Group, AKO Aotearoa, Furnware, Eduvac and Lukey Resources.

For more on Education Leaders Forum 2015 see http://www.smartnet.co.nz.