Research-Based Strategies to Ignite Student Learning: Insights from a Neurologist and Classroom Teacher

by Judy Willis

Drawing on her neurology expertise and classroom experience, author Judy Willis examined decades of learning-centered brain research to determine what information was most valid and relevant for educators. The result is a comprehensive and accessible guide for improving student learning based on the best the research world has to offer. Willis takes a reader-friendly approach to neuroscience, describing how the brain processes, stores, and retrieves material and which instructional strategies help students learn most effectively and joyfully. You will discover how to captivate and hold the attention of your students and how to enhance their memory and test-taking success. You will learn how to know when students are ready for learning and when their brains need a rest. You will also learn how stress and emotion affect learning and how to improve student engagement. And you will find innovative techniques for designing assessments and adjusting teaching practices to ensure that all students reach their potential. No matter what grade or subject you teach, Research-Based Strategies to Ignite Student Learning will enrich your repertoire of teaching strategies so you can help students reach their full academic potential.

Genres: Education, Nonfiction, Teaching, Professional Development

Paperback

First published August 1, 2006

Reviews

[Christy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Author is a neurologist turned middle school math teacher. Text focuses on brain research and student engagement. Excellent chapter on assessment practices. Favorite quote: "Nonscientists, especially partisan politicians or corporations with vested interest in a particular curriculum or government-endorsed education policy, can take unscrupulous advantage of the changeability in scientific research results to misread data as support for their vested interests.”

[Nicole Adamowicz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic, incredibly useful and practical resource for all teachers, no matter the grade level or subject.

[Joanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good book for teachers or parents who want to understand how the brain works. I know her personally and Judy is very passionate about teaching and learning about the brain.

Dr. Judy Willis is a unique blend of common sense, humor and brains. Judy is a rarity being both a "brain" doctor, and a classroom teacher. She cares about her students, and works tirelessly with her students and on-going brain research. Research-Based Strategies to Ignite Student Learning: Insights from a Neurologist and Classroom Teacher gives you interesting medical facts, and then applies it directly to classroom teaching strategies.

I've always taught using a multi-sensory approach, but now I know why I do it! This book will back up what you know--and what you do in the classroom. I've had a lot of fun "surprising" the brains of my students using Judy's ideas. Now I have this book, my own neurologist/teacher in my backpack of tricks.

PS I love the glossary!

[Bob Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well researched, with a lot of examples from Dr Willlis' own classroom. Great for K-12 teachers, parents and those interested in how we learn. As needed, clear explanations on what is actually going on in the brain when learning happens, or doesn't happen. Great suggestions and ideas.

[Tracy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Felt a little repetitive, but some good information.

I did get some good ideas for things to try in the classroom. I was actually hoping for more anatomy and physiology to explain some of the reasoning behind what they were discussing.

[Cristina Laurel · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read it too late. I think that some strategies are good but others are not for today's education system with all the technology advantages that distracts students from learning. This book worked in the early 2010's not now.

Tuesday July 15th, 2025

[Kristine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Highly repetitive text with the same ideas rewritten multiple times. I did not find the text to be organized in a way for easily tracking and following the content.

[Herve Tunga · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good presentation of current knowledge on learning.

[Alison Mccallister · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read for any teacher trying to learn how students learn.

[Ale Villalón Contreras]

good

[Danah Alawadhi · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a must-read book! It does not only articulate how to teach others, but understanding how one learns effectively based on scientific evidence.

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed what this book offered. Many of the ideas presented weren't necessarily NEWS to this educator, but I did learn about the neurology behind some practices. I was happy to see some of the practices that are pushed by educational consultants and administrators are actually counterproductive. I'm happy that I can go into the next school year armed with this book to justify some of my choices.

I anticipate making some changes to my classroom based on Willis's suggestions; that is the highest form of praise that I can offer. In fact, I will be telling my students that I run my classroom based on brain research.

Highly recommend for educators and those in education reform.

[Erin Dobrow · Rating 4 out of 5]

I LOVE JUDY WILLIS - need I say more??? This book has a wealth of information that I have referenced time & time again during the course of my post-bacc certification program and my Masters program. Any teacher that is interested in the most effective and efficient ways to reach students should take a look at Willis' work - it's amazing and full of scientific and research-based approaches that make you sit back and say, "Why didn't I think of this???"

[Tyna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I knew a lot of this already, but if I hadn’t, I would have found it very useful. I would recommend it to a new teacher. I would also recommend it to anyone unfamiliar with education, perhaps our political leaders who could use some help when it comes to education policy?🤞

[Kimberly]

Child Development class text. Fall 2008

[Tina McLaughlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intriguing and useful. It explained much of the research that I've read, and it gave many useful classroom ideas to make the research effective. Thanks, Andrea, for the incredible birthday gift!

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great strategies!
Things that seem intuitive backed by data :-)

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good strategies for older (not preschool) children

[Connie White]

Loved the book! Judy Willis is a neurologist turned educator. She provides a wealth of information and research-based suggestions about how to engage students in the learning process

[Julie Worthington · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had some very interesting information that I will definately put to use in my own classroom.

[David Bates · Rating 4 out of 5]

Briefly, the research is good. Her strategies seem kind of gimicky. That failing isn't very important since anyone could think up other ways of getting the same thing done.

[Spacek Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brain research connects with practical teaching strategies. The author approaches education from a growth mindset. A quick read and well worth it.