Brain Boosters

Description

Most workers today, regardless of their position and responsibilities, face an overwhelming need to use their brains more effectively. Learning and adapting to changing demands are the critical survival skills for today and the future. This course will help you sharpen your learning, remembering, and thinking skills through stimulating exercises and practical experiences. During the course, you'll explore your current strategies for learning and remembering as you map out techniques for dealing with new information and skills. Hands-on practice with concentration boosters and learning techniques can help you increase your effectiveness at work while decreasing fatigue. Your success in the business environment today and in the future depends on life-long learning. This course will help you develop personalized strategies for meeting this critical challenge.

Objectives

• You will be able to describe yourself as a strategic learner and develop a map for optimal learning.
• You will strengthen memory skills through a better understanding of how memory works and through strategic use of memory techniques.
• You will demonstrate habits and practices designed to keep the brain young and sharp at any age.
• You will employ learning tools (i.e. strategic learning plans, mind mapping, reading tools and "learning from others" strategies) to boost learning and success.

Book

Lesson 1: Becoming a Strategic Learner

There is no reading assignment for Lesson 1.

Lesson 2: Memory Boosters

How Memory Works—Read pages 5-8: "What is memory?" Don't let the discussion about neurons and dendrites slow you down. Focus on the memory model on page 7.

Testing Your Memory—Read pages 30-41: Testing your memory. You'll take memory tests on line. This is background reading to strengthen what you experience online.

Concentration is Key—No reading assignment

Memory Techniques—Read pages 42-57: Look, Snap, Connect and pages 111-126: Build your memory skills beyond the basics. These are background pieces to reinforce what you learn online.

Lesson 3: Brain Boosters for Life

Topic 1: What We Know about the Aging Brain — Chapter 1, pp 1-29.  Don't get bogged down with the science.  Read for the essence of what you need to know.

Topic 2: Stress Management for a Healthy Brain — Chapter 4, pp 59-81.  Look for practical tips that will work for you.

Topic 3:  Mental Aerobics for a Healthy Brain — Chapter 5, pp 82-110.  Find out how to develop your own aerobics program.

Topic 4: Planning for a Healthy Brain — Chapter 7 (diet), pp 127-167; Chapter 8 (lifestyle), pp 164-186.  Once again, move through the material looking for practical ideas you can put to work.  Chapter 10 (pp 223-245 is a wonderful summary of the first nine chapters so if time is short, skip the rest and jump right to Chapter 10.

Lesson 4: Tools for the Strategic Learner

No reading assignments

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