Review: Limitless Mind, Jo Boaler

[Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dwkTs3IQBY]

Limitless Mind

If parents, educators and managers read only one book on how to maximize potential and improve lives, Limitless Mind should be it. Author Jo Boaler provides a plain language explanation of the latest developments in neuroscience and how we can use it to unlock the true potential of the human brain.

Limitless Mind is the most powerful book on unlocking human potential in years. It goes beyond theoretical explanations, and presents practical steps to living in a way that is not limited by talent, natural giftedness or genetic traits. In fact, as Boaler explains, the idea that some people are born with or without natural abilities is damaging and form the perspective of neuroscience, not true.

This book is the current high water mark demonstrating how the lessons from neuroscience can help us to shape and enhance our lives for the better. It demonstrates how everyone can be good at math, or how everyone can develop their creativity. It is filled with liberating ideas and practical advice from the cutting edge of what we understand about the human brain.

 

What others have said about Limitless Mind

“Boaler is one of those rare and remarkable educators who not only know the secret of great teaching but also know how to give that gift to others.”  CAROL DWECK, author of Mindset

“Jo Boaler is one of the most creative and innovative educators today. Limitless Mind marries cutting-edge brain science with her experience in the classroom, not only proving that each of us has limitless potential but offering strategies for how we can achieve it.” LAURENE POWELL JOBS

Unlocking Our True Potential

Traditional education systems and teaching approaches can do more harm than good when it comes to helping students reach their full potential. Limitless Mind illustrates how the lessons from neuroscience can allow us to move beyond traditional ways of thinking to take part in a journey of truly endless potential.

The book features the Arrowsmith Program that uses the concepts found in neuroscience to allow people with learning difficulties to unlock their true potential and work toward unlimited academic and social success. Whether suffering from specific learning disabilities such as dyslexia, or wanting to improve social or academic abilities, the Arrowsmith Program, has meaningful and permanent solutions. Solutions that are effective regardless of age or current ability.

Jo Boaler takes a deep dive into the limitless qualities of the human brain. She provides an explanation for why some people demonstrate talent, and helps us to understand how the world’s greatest minds were created, not born.

The amount of neuroscience research available can be overwhelming and difficult to understand the real-life implications. Jo Boaler brings to light the critical findings of the latest neuroscience  and describes practical ways that it can be used to change lives for the better.

Just reading the book will provide a sense of what is it like to live without barriers.

If you want your child to increase their true success and overcome the inherent challenges of a fast-paced competitive world, Limitless Mind is an essential read.

The Arrowsmith Cognitive Training Program is provided in South East Asia and Korea by Confident Brains Pte Ltd.

About Jo Boaler (from Amazon.com )

Dr. Jo Boaler is a professor of education and equity at Stanford University and the faculty director of youcubed—an education resource that has reached over 230 million students. She is the author of the first MOOC on mathematics teaching and learning, as well as nine mathematics books and numerous research articles. Her work has been published in the New York Times, TIME magazine, The Telegraph, The Atlantic, The Wall Street Journal, and many other news outlets. She was named by the BBC as one of eight educators “changing the face of education.” She lives in Stanford, California.

 

Addressing Learning Difficulties: Make the impossible, possible!

Goal setting is an integral part of the unparalleled success that students achieve in an Arrowsmith classroom. Instructors work with students to set daily and weekly goals, as well as new and ambitious life goals. “Make the impossible possible” is a mantra common in our Arrowsmith cognitive training classrooms.  Our instructors continually help students of all ages set and achieve goals that would have not been possible prior to participation in the Arrowsmith Program.

“Helping students achieve the next steps in life is always our goal” explains Robert Lee, a Cognitive Instructor for the Arrowsmith Program at Confident Brains School, Phuket. “For example, if a student has struggled to complete high school, our goal might be to get him or her to the point where they can excel academically and post-secondary education becomes a possibility. We are always envisioning how we can support our students in achieving the next level. Arrowsmith offers the opportunity to make real change and achieve meaningful success”.

Learn more about Confident Brains School Phuket and Arrowsmith Program by clicking here.

 

Thank you to our North American colleagues from Eaton Arrowsmith in Canada for their amazing work. Thank you to Trevor for sharing this wonderful success story.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dxg-wPJgdBo

Grow New Brain Cells: Here’s How

Grow new brain cells? In adults? Until recently, even the most forward thinking neuroscientists would have dismissed such an idea as scientific heresy. Neurogenesis–the production of new brain cells–is not only possible but we have the ability to influence it though out actions. It helps to improve both the capacity and quality of our memory. It helps to reduce depression and is a factor in maintaining brain health as we age.

How can I grow more brain cells?

Your environment and your actions can drive the growth of new brain cells.  Learning new things, getting enough sleep, reducing stress, exercise, and diet all impact our ability to grow new brain cells.

Dr. Sandrine Thuret explains how neurogenesis is not only real, but has impacts on some of the most important aspects of our lives.

 

We can grow new brain cells. Dr. Sandrine Thuret explains. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_tjKYvEziI

 

Neuroplasticity Explained

In simple terms, neuroplasticity is the ability of the brain to grow and change. Changes to the brain occur over time and allow individuals to adapt to new situations or changes in their environment [1]. Neuroplasticity is sometimes referred to as brain plasticity; reinforcing that the brain can be molded, like plastic. This is great news because it means that our brains are designed to change throughout our lifetime. Changes in the brain can be structural, such as differences in size, shape, and density. Changes can also occur to the organizational function of the brain. This means that new connections can be made within the brain, and that existing connections can be strengthened [2].

How Does Neuroplasticity Relate to Real Life Situations?

We all have the ability to grow and change our own brain.

Changes to the brain can occur in response to a single event, such as a brain injury. When part of the brain is damaged, neuroplasticity allows for an intact area of the brain to take over some of the functions of the damaged brain area [1]. In effect, one area of the brain compensates for the area that no longer functions. This compensation is useful for individuals who have lost all function of a particular brain area(s).

In less extreme cases, the principles of neuroplasticity can be applied to weak brain areas. For example, just as all people exhibit a variety of physical traits that can be seen, each brain is also unique. Each human brain has different strengths and weaknesses. Weak brain areas, also referred to as areas of weak cognitive function, can result in a variety of  learning challenges. The underlying causes of learning difficulties can be addressed by strengthening weak areas of the brain.

Compensation Vs. Strengthening

There is an important distinction between compensation and strengthening. In layman’s terms, compensation involves one part of the brain completing a task for a weak or damaged area of the brain that has a limited ability to perform that specific function. In a way, it is the brain taking the path of least resistance. Brain strengthening is described as taking specific intentional action to improve a weak or malfunctioning area of the brain to address the underlying cause. Importantly, brain strengthening exercises can be of benefit to anyone, but life-changing gains in cognitive function can be seen in people with learning difficulties.

The Arrowsmith Program specializes in assessing each individual to identify the specific brain areas that need to be strengthened. Each student receives a personalized set of cognitive exercises to target their particular learning challenges. The program is suitable for children, adolescents, and adults – all of whom are able to benefit from the principles of neuroplasticity.

Here’s a video from Perth Brain Centre explaining neuroplasticity:

 

Sources

[1] Shiel, W.C., Medical Definition of Neuroplasticity. Medicinenet. 2019-05-15. https://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=40362

[2] Arrowsmith School. Neuroplasticity. 2019-05-15. https://arrowsmithschool.org/neuroplastic/