Introduction and Description

 

Understanding how the brain learns is increasingly recognised as a core professional competence for educators in the 21st century. As schools navigate rapidly changing social, technological and cognitive landscapes, neuroscience offers powerful insights into how attention, memory, emotion and motivation shape learners’ capacity to engage, process and retain new information. This course provides teachers and school staff with an accessible yet academically grounded exploration of the principles of contemporary neuroscience and their direct implications for classroom practice and whole-school development.

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Drawing on research in cognitive science, social and emotional learning, brain-targeted teaching and transformative learning, the course invites participants to examine how learning environments, relationships, instructional design and assessment practices influence the brain’s readiness to learn. Participants explore how emotional safety reduces cognitive load, how movement and arts-based activities promote neural integration, how curiosity and inquiry strengthen long-term memory, and how positive classroom climates support well-being and achievement. Through experiential activities, practical workshops and reflective dialogue, teachers gain a sophisticated understanding of how to design brain-compatible experiences that foster deeper engagement, sustained motivation and meaningful learning.

 

Both the 5-day intensive version and the 10-day extended programme support participants in translating scientific insights into concrete pedagogical strategies. The shorter format provides a focused introduction to the most influential concepts, while the longer version offers additional opportunities for practice, micro-teaching, field-based inquiry, and the development of a comprehensive action plan for school-wide implementation.

 

This course is highly relevant for schools preparing Erasmus+ project applications, as it directly aligns with European priorities regarding innovative pedagogies, inclusive and supportive learning environments, learner well-being, teacher professionalisation, and evidence-informed education. Participants leave with a strengthened capacity to implement neuroscience-informed approaches within their own practice and to contribute to organisational cultures that value research, reflection and continuous improvement.