What if your teaching aligned perfectly with how the brain learns best?
Modern learning science has revealed powerful, practical strategies that every teacher can use — but few have had the chance to learn them clearly and apply them confidently. read more >>
This free webinar gives you the core tools to design lessons, organize classrooms, and support students in ways that are proven to boost understanding and retention.
Don’t miss this chance to join the first webinar for free.
See how small, research-based changes can make a big difference for your students.
Your Presenter
Marko Koskinen, the founder of three progressive schools, with 25+ years of experience in multiple fields of education, combines his expertise and experience with the results of Learning Science to offer you a life-transforming ride through a variety of methods and principles of science-backed learning environments. read more >>
Inspired by the practices and philosophies of Democratic Education, he studied education at the Helsinki University and was one of the key people who started a new teacher education line based on educational psychology.
Throughout his career, he has focused on finding solutions to the many challenges that the modern education faces. Currently he is running an online school in Finland.
Free Webinar #1
The Science of Learning – Foundations Every Teacher Can Apply
8 Core Principles
Retrieval practice is the act of actively recalling information from memory read more >> rather than simply re-reading or reviewing it. By bringing knowledge to mind—through quizzes, flashcards, or self-testing—you strengthen neural connections and make the information easier to retrieve in the future. Research shows that retrieval practice significantly improves long-term retention and understanding compared to passive study methods (Roediger & Butler, 2011).
Cognitive Load Theory explains that our working memory has a limited capacity read more >>, and learning is most effective when we avoid overloading it. To help students learn better, we should simplify complex information, break content into manageable chunks, and reduce unnecessary distractions. Well-designed instruction frees up cognitive resources so students can focus on understanding and transferring knowledge to long-term memory (Sweller, 1988).
Spaced repetition is a learning technique where information is reviewed at increasing intervals over time read more >>, rather than crammed all at once. By spacing out review sessions, you take advantage of the brain’s natural forgetting curve and strengthen long-term memory retention. Research shows that spacing practice helps learners remember material far more effectively than massed, back-to-back study sessions (Cepeda et al., 2006).
One of the biggest misconceptions about learning is the learning styles myth read more >> — the belief that students learn best when taught in their preferred style (e.g., visual, auditory, kinesthetic). Research consistently shows that tailoring instruction to learning styles does not improve outcomes (Pashler et al., 2008). Other common myths include “more practice equals better learning” (ignoring the need for quality and spacing), and “struggling means failure” (when, in fact, desirable difficulties like effortful retrieval often boost retention).
Memory plays a central role in learning by allowing individuals to store, retain, and retrieve information over time. read more >>According to Cowan (2014), working memory serves as a limited-capacity system that temporarily holds and processes information, forming a critical foundation for complex cognitive tasks. Schunk et al. (2014) emphasize the interplay between working memory and long-term memory in effective learning, highlighting how meaningful encoding and rehearsal can enhance retention. Together, these perspectives underscore memory as both a bottleneck and an enabler in the learning process.
Attention is a fundamental cognitive process that determines what information enters conscious awareness and is available for further processing. read more >>Cowan (2014) describes attention as a mechanism that filters and selects relevant stimuli for working memory, playing a key role in learning and comprehension. Schunk et al. (2014) highlight that attention is limited in capacity and easily influenced by task demands and distractions, making focused attention crucial for effective learning. Together, their work underscores attention as the gateway to memory and understanding.
Motivation is a driving force that influences the direction, intensity, and persistence of learning behaviors. read more >>Schunk et al. (2014) explain that motivation affects how much effort learners invest, how long they persist, and how they respond to challenges. They highlight the role of goals, self-efficacy, and task value in sustaining motivation. While Cowan (2014) focuses primarily on cognitive mechanisms, his work also implies that attention and memory processes are modulated by motivational factors. Together, these perspectives show that motivation is essential for engaging and maintaining cognitive effort in learning.
Struggle can enhance, rather than hinder, learning—when it is of the right kind. read more >>According to Bjork and Bjork (2011), introducing desirable difficulties—challenges that require effort but are still manageable—can lead to deeper processing and better long-term retention. These difficulties, such as spaced practice, varied tasks, and retrieval-based learning, may slow initial performance but ultimately strengthen memory and understanding. Their research highlights that productive struggle fosters durable learning, making challenge an essential component of effective instruction.
What’s next after Webinar #1?
If you enjoy the first session, you’ll have the option to continue in our full webinar series:
The Science of Learning for Educators – Complete Series
A practical, step-by-step journey to embed learning science into every part of your teaching and school design.