Here you have the syllabus for upcoming online course How to Be Your Own Brain Fitness Coach. There are still some seats available, so please take a look and register if interested.
Session I. Debunking Brain and Brain Fitness Myths: We will first debunk popular misconceptions that stand in the way of making informed decisions to spend our time and money wisely. We will explore hot topics such as genetics vs. environment vs. lifestyle, intelligence, left/ right brain hemispheres, “brain age”, cognitive enhancement, supplements, learning styles, brain training, neurogenesis, neuroplasticity, cognitive reserve, and Alzheimer’s Disease. Additionally we’ll contrast the findings from a major recent scientific study with their media coverage, equipping participants to become better informed readers of news and scientific findings.
When: Wednesday, March 7th, 11am-1pm US Pacific Time (live session will be recorded for later viewing).
Reading:
- Introduction and Chapter 1 of The SharpBrains Guide to Brain Fitness
- Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). 2010. Alzheimer’s Disease and Cognitive Decline, Structured Abstract and Evidence Report. April 2010. www.ahrq.gov/clinic/tp/alzcogtp.htm
Activity: five-finger meditation.
Session II. How to Address the Basics: In this session we will discuss the complementary roles and mechanisms underpinning the major lifestyle pillars for brain fitness: healthy nutrition, aerobic exercise, stress management and mental stimulation that incorporates novelty, variety and challenge. We’ll explore how the human brain is a dynamic system to optimize and enhance, and how each of the major lifestyle pillars plays a fundamental role in developing, enhancing, and maintaining key cognitive, executive and emotional self-regulation functions require to thrive at every stage of life (“brain fitness”).
When: Wednesday, March 14th, 11am-1pm US Pacific Time (live session will be recorded for later viewing).
Reading:
- Chapter 2 of The SharpBrains Guide to Brain Fitness.
Activity: cognitive reappraisal.
Session III. How to Build Brain-Based Capacities: What are some of the most promising research-based “brain training” methods (hint: meditation, cognitive training, biofeedback, cognitive therapy) and what are emerging best practices and guidelines on how and when to use each of them to build core capacities such as attention, working memory, emotional self-regulation, information processing, cognitive monitoring and reappraisal? This session will survey the value and limitations of available tools and suggest appropriate scenarios of use.
When: Wednesday, March 21st, 11am-1pm US Pacific Time (live session will be recorded for later viewing).
Reading:
- Chapters 3 and 4 of The SharpBrains Guide to Brain Fitness.
Activity: participants choose biofeedback-based exercise or cognitive training.
Session IV. How to Be Your Own Brain Fitness Coach: This session will equip you with the frameworks and checklists required to integrate the knowledge and tools introduced during the whole course to meet your specific personal and professional priorities. “No one size fits all” applies to brain fitness, and this course is designed to help you build your own personal “brain fitness toolkit” to meet the priorities you are facing today and will face tomorrow.
When: Wednesday, March 28th, 11am-1pm US Pacific Time (live session will be recorded for later viewing).
Reading:
- Chapters 6 and 7 of The SharpBrains Guide to Brain Fitness.
Activity: develop your own “brain fitness plan” for 2012.
—> To Learn More about the Course Faculty, Mechanics, Common Q&A, and more, click on Online Course: How to Be Your Own Brain Fitness Coach.