Episode #51 | Dr Mark Williams – How the Brain Really Learns

In this episode with Dr Mark Williams, we dive into the science of how we learn best, highlighting the power of human connection, why face-to-face conversations matter more than ever, and how small shifts in classroom practice can dramatically boost engagement and retention. Dr Mark also shares practical, brain-based strategies to strengthen student focus, reduce negative self-talk, and navigate technology wisely in education.

Here are the key takeaways from your podcast episode with Dr Mark:

How We Learn – Learning is fundamentally social — connection must come before curriculum.

• Students learn best from people they trust and feel connected to. Without that connection, their brains don’t sync with the teacher, limiting learning.
• Our brains haven’t changed much in 10,000 years; we’re wired for face-to-face, relationship-driven learning.
• Two-trial learning (e.g., how toddlers learn language) is only possible through deep connection and trust.
  

Connection Strategies – Touch, with consent, activates c-fibers in the skin, which release oxytocin — promoting trust, openness, and learning.

• Encourage high-fives, handshakes, fist bumps, or shoulder taps as appropriate ways to build connection.
• Eye contact and smiling also foster connection — even brief positive interactions can lift mood and build trust.
• Start lessons with 5 minutes of casual conversation (e.g., news, interests) to build rapport — leads to better engagement and faster curriculum coverage.
  
  

Classroom Practice Shift – Don’t ask students to raise hands for answers. Instead: Ask the question. Pause briefly. Then give the answer.

• This engages every student’s brain (they think before hearing the answer) and avoids disengagement or embarrassment.
• Students learn best when they get things wrong — it triggers deeper encoding in the brain.
  

Technology & Learning – Laptops and screens reduce learning by ~30% compared to face-to-face teaching.

• Devices elevate stress (cortisol) and reduce dopamine — negatively affecting memory and attention.
• Voice recognition is the future, not typing — verbal communication, vocabulary, and articulation will become increasingly vital.
• Schools should only use technology when it truly adds value (e.g., music composition, specific research tasks), not as default.

Rewiring the Brain – The brain is not wired for negativity, but it learns what we repeatedly feed it.

• Negative self-talk strengthens negative neural pathways. The solution is to:
  • Pause when you notice it.
  • Write 3 positive things (preferably by hand).
• This reframes thought patterns and builds positive wiring over time.
  

Brain Health & Longevity – The Harvard study on longevity found the most effective way to improve brain health and reduce risk of Alzheimer’s is:

• Face-to-face, honest conversations with someone you trust 3–4 times a week.
• These interactions reduce stress, boost mood, enhance learning, and extend life by 10–15 years.
  

More About Dr Mark

Dr Mark is an internationally renowned neuroscientist who has presented to audiences all over the world. He is an entertaining and informative speaker, who backs up his contemporary thinking with down-to-earth pragmatism based on a ‘colourful’ background which very nearly took him to jail or an early grave. By exploring the true potential of the brain, Dr Mark leaves the audience thinking deeply about who they are and what they can achieve.

Dr Mark has an extensive academic background in brain research and teaching. He is a professor of cognitive neuroscience, with over 25 years of experience conducting behavioural and brain imaging research focusing on our social skills. Mark has received numerous awards for his teaching and research. He has taught the fundamentals of neuroscience to a wide range of students, as well as publishing more than 70 scientific articles and worked at MIT in the USA and multiple universities in Australia.

Dr Mark now draws on his extensive scientific background to work with schools, companies and the public to develop evidence-based practices using neuroscience to enhance our education, work and personal lives. He has appeared in the media both locally [e.g., The Project & Mirror Mirror (Channel Ten), The Role of a Lifetime, Our Brain, Magic and the Brain, Music and the Brain & Making Australia Happy (ABC), Sunrise (Channel 7), SkyNews], and internationally [e.g., The Guardian & Telegraph (UK), New York Times (USA), Forbes, Economist, New Scientist, Leading Edge, (BBC: UK), Science in Action (BBC; International)].

Dr Mark’s new book “The Connected Species” is a #1 Best Seller. Mathew Green, the host of The Art of Teaching Podcast recently wrote “Mark’s book was one of the best books I have ever read.”

If you would like more details: https://www.drmarkwilliams.com/

Check out his new book at: https://rethinkingthebrain.com/books/

Check out Brain Camp at: https://brain-camp.com.au/

Social Media Sites

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-williams-4b401354/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheDrMarkWilliams

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MarkWil93486024

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedrmarkwilliams/

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