About Andrew Watson
Since beginning as a high school English teacher in 1988, I've dedicated my career to education, teaching at esteemed institutions and leading faculty. In 2012, I founded Translate the Brain to bring cognitive science insights to educators worldwide, supported by my academic background and published work.
Founded Translate the Brain to improve teaching with cognitive science
Keynote speaker at global education conferences
Author of three books and editor of the Learning and the Brain blog
More About Us
Workshop Options
Translate the Brain’s workshops bridge cognitive science and classroom practice to address today’s most persistent challenges: fragmented retention, ineffective application of knowledge, and persistent student disengagement. Teachers will learn both concepts and tools to transform instruction without overhauling existing curriculum or adding to their preparation time.
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Teachers can boost learning by using strategies aligned with memory phases and “desirable difficulties” to help students study less but learn more.
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To support lasting learning, teachers must manage fragile working memory by recognizing overload signs and using strategies to prevent it.
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Teachers can improve student focus by targeting the three components of attention—alertness, orienting, and executive control—rather than attention alone.
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Teachers can tackle post-Covid motivation issues using research-based strategies that enhance autonomy, relevance, competence, and mindset.
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By focusing on schema formation, teachers can better support students' growth from novices to experts with developmentally aligned strategies.
Upcoming Presentations
Science of Teaching and School Leadership Pre-Academy Workshop
The Center for Transformative Teaching & Learning
July 13, 2025
In person, Potomac MD
Videos
PODCASTS
A Conversation on Teachers and Researchers Working Together
The Learning Scientists,
Host, Dr. Cindy Nebel
EdCircuit - emPowering the Education Conversation
Reviewing Research with Healthy Skepticism
Melissa and Lori Love Literacy
The Role of Neuroscience in Education, with Kristin Simmers
Progressively Incorrect, Season 2 Episode 8
Host, Dr. Zach Groschell
Remembering the Future: Prospective Memory
Test and the Rest, Episode 401
Hosts, Amy Seeley and Mike Bergin
Featured Blogs
“We had Ted Sizer here once; I would equate that experience with Andrew’s talk
in magnitude of its significance and value to me. “”
More praise for Translate the Brain
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(I use this information for
Translate The Brain only, and
do not give or sell it to anyone.)