Teachers can now access free online professional development from All Kinds of Minds to build their knowledge of learning variation
DURHAM, N.C. (June 2, 2010) – All Kinds of Minds today announced that for a limited time it will provide free access to research-based online learning modules designed to build teachers’ expertise in how students learn.
A national nonprofit dedicated to closing the learning gap in schools, All Kinds of Minds has spent more than a decade developing courses and tools for educators based on the latest research on the mind and learning variation. Motivated by continuing nationwide cuts in education budgets, which have drastically reduced funds available to support high-quality professional development for teachers, the organization has decided to offer free and unlimited access to three Internet-based learning modules.
“Nearly half of all teachers say their students’ learning abilities are so varied that they can’t do an effective job of teaching,” said All Kinds of Minds CEO Mary-Dean Barringer and author of the new book, Schools for All Kinds of Minds, citing a survey published by MetLife. “Our research and experience show that when teachers are able to understand and make instructional decisions based on their students’ unique learning needs, student success improves. Our online modules help teachers build this expertise.”
The free online modules are based on groundbreaking research from neuroscience and other disciplines on how children learn – and vary in their learning – and provide a powerful framework that teachers can use in the classroom. These modules focus on three essential components of learning – attention, memory, and language. Each self-paced module includes information to deepen knowledge of these topics, in-depth case studies that demonstrate how to identify specific learning strengths and weaknesses, and strategies for working with students struggling in these areas. Featuring a mix of audio, video, text, diagrams, and animation, the modules will be accessible from the All Kinds of Minds website through the summer. The free courses do not qualify for continuing education credits.
“Our vision is for every educator to be able to use this knowledge on behalf of students – particularly those who are struggling to learn,” stated Barringer. “We hope that by making some of this knowledge more accessible, a greater number of educators will realize how it can be the key to helping them unlock the promise of students they are struggling to reach. In particular, we’re hopeful that teachers working with students in low-performing schools will find these resources valuable – especially since research shows that students from lower socio-economic backgrounds are more likely to be struggling with school and learning tasks related to attention, memory and language.”
To learn more or to participate in an online module, click here.
About All Kinds of Minds
All Kinds of Minds is a globally recognized organization that has translated groundbreaking research from neuroscience and other disciplines on how children learn – and vary in their learning – into a powerful framework educators can use in their classrooms. Through its network of partners, All Kinds of Minds delivers high-quality professional development for educators and advocates for learning-focused education policies and reform efforts to help transform schools and school systems to better meet the needs of all students. More information about All Kinds of Minds is available at www.allkindsofminds.org.
