Eric Jensen—a leading expert in the translation of brain research into education, argues in Enriching the Brain that we greatly underestimate students’ achievement capacity. Drawing from a wide range of neuroscience research as well as related studies, Jensen reveals that the human brain is far more dynamic and malleable than we earlier believed. He offers us a powerful new understanding of how the brain can be “enriched,” across the board to maximize learning, memory, behavior and overall function. The bottom line is we have far more to do with how our children’s brains turn out than we previously thought. Enriching the Brain shows that lasting brain enrichment doesn’t occur randomly through routine or ordinary learning. It requires a specific, and persistent experiences that amount to a “formula” for maximizing brain potential. Parents, teachers and policy-makers would do well to memorize this formula. In fact, the lifelong potential of all school age kids depends on whether or not we use it. Offering an inspiring and innovative set of practices for promoting enrichment in the home, the school, and the classroom, this book is a clarion call. All of us, from teachers to parents to policymakers must take their role as ‘brain shapers’ much more seriously and this book gives the tools with which to do it.
ERIC JENSEN
Background
Eric Jensen has always been passionate about learning. As a child, he seemed to read every book he could find in his own home and any library nearby. There are rumors that he "over-borrowed" from local libraries and a nearby Boy's Club. To make up for that, today he donates back up to 50 books a year to others. He graduated early from high school (age 16) and averaged reading two books a week in college. He graduated with distinction with a bachelor's degree in English. Even today, Eric is still learning, completing his doctorate in Human Development from Fielding Graduate University.
As a teacher, Eric has worked with a wide range of students. He taught middle school, high school students though a private school, focusing on reading and study skills. While he began as a completely average teacher in terms of technique, he's always been know for his passion for learning. Later, he became adjunct faculty for three universities, serving as a professor for adult learners at the University of California at San Diego, National University and the University of San Diego. In 1988, Jensen was selected as an Outstanding Young Man of America.
In the workplace, Eric Jensen co-founded the world's largest brain-compatible academic enrichment program, SuperCamp, which now has over 50,000 graduates. In 1985, he founded Turning Point and which later became Jensen Learning with over 50,000 educators attending programs. These programs introduced the science of teaching and learning to teachers from around the world. Eric Jensen has introduced brain-based teaching to Denmark, UK, Australia, Hong Kong, South Africa, New Zealand and other countries. Jensen was the founder of the Learning Brain EXPO, the world's first conference that linked neuroscience to everyday educational practices.
Part of the leadership in the field is literary scholarship. Jensen has authored ten journal publications to his credit, twenty-six full-length books through five different publishers. Jensen has appeared on over 250 television and radio stations, both domestic and international including CNN. Articles on his work have appeared in USA Today, CNN, Wall Street Journal and major educational journals such as Education Leadership, Education Week and PDK International/ Phi Delta Kappan. His work has appeared in The South China Post and he's been interviewed on stations in Asia and his books have been translated into 15 languages including Chinese.
Jensen is currently an active member of the Society for Neuroscience, The President's Club at Salk Institute of Biological Studies, NY Academy of Science, American Psychological Association and International Mind, Brain and Education Society. Jensen is on the Advisory Board for Body, Mind and Child in Barnstead, New Hampshire. He is a partner and consultant in the Temporal Dynamics Learning Center Project at University of California at San Diego. This project involves over 50 scientists and affiliates to bring neuroscience into the classroom.
Later, with his passion for neuroscience, Jensen made over 45 visits to neuroscience laboratories to interact with countless scientists. At the world-renowned Salk Institute of Biological Studies, Jensen is a member of the select President's club, which interacts often with neuroscientists as well as supports their work financially. Jensen has become one of the leading translators in the world of neuroscience into education. Currently he is the Master Trainer and Consultant to the Association of Brain-based Learning in Education in Hong Kong. This is the first long-term brain-based program focusing on classroom pedagogy in Asia. (http://www.brainbased.net).
Jensen's best known books are Teaching with the Brain in Mind, SuperTeaching, Enriching the Brain and Teaching with Poverty in Mind. He's an incurable writer who seems obsessed with doing another book every year.
