Barbara Oakley and Michael Johnston masterclass and online workshops (PLS)
This event is aimed at teaching staff at the University of Auckland.
Join us for an engaging, transformative workshop series led by two renowned experts:
Barbara Oakley, PhD, is the creator of one of the world’s most popular online courses, Learning How to Learn, celebrated author, and pioneering researcher in learning science and engineering education. Barb’s groundbreaking approach in applying neuroscience and cognitive psychology to education has transformed the way millions of people worldwide understand their own learning.
Dr Michael Johnston, a distinguished education researcher and senior fellow at the New Zealand Initiative, renowned for his innovative insights into educational assessment, cognition, and curriculum design. Michael brings a deep understanding of cognitive science to practical classroom applications, empowering educators to foster critical thinking and effective learning strategies.
Barbara and Michael will be at the University of Auckland this April for a special in-person masterclass and three online workshops.
Image © Rīga Stradinš University
Please note: The masterclass sets the foundation for the three online workshops. Participants are encouraged to join or watch the livestream of this session prior to attending the three that follow. As numbers are limited for the in-person event, non-teaching staff are encouraged to attend via the livestream.
Masterclass
Learning How to Learn and Learning with AI: Cognitive Science, Self-Regulation, and AI as a Thinking Partner
Tuesday 15 April 2025, 10am – 1pm
Location: Science Building, 302-G20 Case Room
Facilitators: Barbara Oakley & Michael Johnston
Together, Barb and Michael will uncover how our brains form connections during learning, reveal fascinating parallels between human cognition and AI models like ChatGPT, and demonstrate why these insights can fundamentally revolutionize teaching and reinforce time-tested educational methods.
Drawing on familiar concepts like rote learning and spaced repetition, this workshop connects modern neural insights with traditional teaching methods, highlighting how time-tested approaches can be enhanced with scientific understanding. Through thought-provoking examples, we’ll discuss the power of metaphors in simplifying complex concepts, the importance of retrieval practice in solidifying memory, and the critical role of cognitive load management in the classroom. Additionally, we’ll address the distinction between biologically primary and biologically secondary learning, helping educators optimize their teaching strategies according to cognitive science.
We’ll also explore practical strategies for integrating generative AI into your teaching toolkit, offering innovative ways to spark curiosity and deepen student engagement. Discover how simple shifts in teaching methods—like interleaving, strategic metaphor use, and leveraging traditional practices—can make learning more effective and memorable. Whether you’re an educator looking to enrich your approach or curious about the neural underpinnings of learning, this session promises valuable insights and actionable takeaways. Don’t miss this opportunity to reimagine education through the lens of neuroscience, AI, and the rich traditions of pedagogy.
This core session serves as a foundation for the extended online workshops, providing educators with immediately applicable strategies for enabling deep, self-regulated learning.
Teaching staff at the University of Auckland are invited to register through Eventbrite (spaces are limited).
The event will be also livestreamed via Zoom.
Online workshop series
Extending Learning: Applying Cognitive Science & AI to Support Deep Learning
This three-part online workshop series expands beyond traditional educational approaches, examining how cognitive science can inform teaching practices in today’s AI-enhanced classrooms. Each session challenges conventional wisdom while providing evidence-based strategies to help students develop robust learning frameworks. The workshops explore the complementary roles of structured guidance and student independence, neural mechanisms of learning, and practical techniques to accommodate diverse cognitive needs in an increasingly AI-integrated educational environment.
Workshop 1: The Science of Learning & AI – How the Brain Builds Knowledge
Wednesday 16 April 2025, 10 – 11am
Facilitator: Barbara Oakley
In this workshop, we’ll dive into the counterintuitive finding that “active learning” is NOT the be all and end all of learning—structured guidance matters. Your contribution as a teacher—yes, the “sage on the stage”—remains vitally important. We’ll explore how retrieval practice, spaced repetition, and interleaving, along with plain and simple lecture, can all play important roles in the learning process. The session will also address neurodiverse aspects of learning, including fascinating differences in how students handle cognitive load. You’ll discover the surprising finding that students with lesser working memory capacity can sometimes outperform peers with faster, higher capacity working memory. Join us to challenge conventional wisdom and enhance your teaching toolkit in today’s AI-enhanced educational landscape.
Workshop 2: Inspiring Frameworks for Learning
Thursday 17 April 2025, 10 – 11am
Facilitator: Barbara Oakley
This session explores how educators can deliberately cultivate curiosity and motivation in an AI-rich learning environment. We’ll examine techniques for sparking student interest using generative AI as a tool, and how building robust neural schemas can make learning more accessible and engaging. You’ll discover fascinating research on neural synchronization—how students can literally “tune in” to your thinking patterns—and explore unexpected insights from botox research that reveal innovative approaches to student motivation. Join us for a thought-provoking hour connecting neuroscience with actionable teaching strategies for the modern classroom.
Workshop 3: AI as a Thinking Partner – Enhancing Learning, Avoiding Shortcuts
Thursday 1 May 2025, 10 – 11am
Facilitator: Michael Johnston
This workshop explores how artificial intelligence can support educators while recognising the essential human dimensions of teaching. Participants will learn how AI can assist in providing formative feedback to students, collecting and analysing student achievement data, and supporting assessment processes. The workshop emphasises that, while AI can make powerful contributions to students’ learning, teachers remain central to maintaining the intellectual, emotional, and social dimensions of education. Practical examples will include using AI as a writing coach rather than a substitute, using AI for personalised learning insights, and exploring how AI can help teachers identify learning gaps.
This series is brought to you by Ranga Auaha Ako | Learning and Teaching Design Team.