João Arantes

The Cartoon Guide to Effective Teaching and Learning João Arantes

We are constantly learning, either we want or not. Learning is very natural to our brains, and it is (or it should be) enjoyable. What is the best way then to learn about effective learning? Making the process simple and fun. Cartoons are a very effective method because we learn with stories, we learn with observations and being part of a narrative. This is the idea of the authors, Harvard Professor and neuroscientist Felipe Fregni and Federal University of Sao Paulo Professor of Systems Thinking Joao Arantes, when they got together to write this cartoon book about learning and how to use this knowledge in teaching practices. This book follows the book of Critical Thinking in Teaching and Learning (Felipe Fregni, 2019) and in 191 cartoons the authors show using funny and simple illustrations the basic neural principles of learning (including the basic principles of neuroplasticity, how we encode new information, the attentional system and learning, memory and learning, the critical importance of our motivation system and how to activate that in educational programs, how stress affect (or help) learning and the use of social interaction in educational programs) and how to apply these principles for teaching (including teaching methods (student-centered vs. teacher-centered methods), online teaching, teaching critical thinking and assessments). We all need to become better learners, especially in a society when fact memorization is no longer important. This book is, therefore, an essential guide to every student and teacher looking to improving their own and their students learning experience.