How to get the most out of this course

- Any course on neuroscience and learning worth its salt should include at least one quote from our very own poster child for the human brain, Albert Einstein, so here goes. Einstein once said about his teaching methodology, "I never teach my pupils. "I only attempt to provide the conditions "in which they can learn." Our goal in the design of this course was to do exactly that. So, I'd like to first give you some guidance on how to get the most out of your learning experience as you go through the videos and then apply what you're learning to your own e-learning design projects. So, here's my advice. First of all, take notes throughout the course as you watch these videos. Brain research suggests that handwritten note taking will maximize your attention and focus and aid in the transfer of your learning to long-term memory. And I also encourage you to use colored pens and pencils and draw images in addition to writing down words. Be playful and have fun with it. Think of the note taking as creating a mental map of your own journey through the course. Next, before you begin, think about your goals and ask yourself why you are taking the course, what you expect to learn, and how you plan to apply what you are learning. Write down your answers to these questions and keep them at your side as you watch the videos. Reflect on and check your progress against these goals and modify or embellish them throughout the learning process. When it's time to watch a video, make sure you've taken measures to minimize any distractions or interruptions that might happen. Place your phone in airplane mode. Turn off your email. Log out of social media. And to the extent possible, find a quiet place where you'll be able to focus and concentrate. Each video is only a few minutes long so you should be able to unplug long enough to watch a few videos during each learning session. That said, avoid the temptation to binge watch. We designed the course content in chunks of videos for each main topic. So, give yourself a break between these topics. You might even want to space the videos out over a few days and give your brain a chance to sleep on the new information you're taking in. And as you finish each video and learning session, give yourself a few minutes to reflect on what you've learned and capture in writing any new ideas or insights that you're having. As you go through the course and after you've completed it, share what you are learning with others. That's one of the best ways to transfer what you're learning into long-term memory. And ask them what they think. Have a conversation. That will help generate new insights and understanding of the material. Don't be afraid to jump around. While there is a cohesive structure and order to the course, it's also been designed to allow you to watch these videos in any order you choose. So, after watching a few videos, go back to a video you've watched earlier and discover some new insights and go back to videos after a few weeks. You might be surprised at what your brain does with content it's already seen. The content won't have changed, but your brain will have. And remember, the most impactful part of this course happens when you are applying what you're learning to your own real-world e-learning design projects. So, make it your own. As Einstein suggested, the learning is yours. I'm just giving you some conditions for making it happen.