Jennifer Instructional Designer

   Welcome to My Blog: Exploring Teaching, Learning, and Memory As an educator and instructional designer, I’ve spent years immersed in the art and science of  teaching and learning . My background includes being a higher education faculty instructor for over 20 years, working as an instructional designer, faculty trainer and supporting instructors. This has given me plenty of opportunity in researching how people  absorb, retain, and apply knowledge  effectively. Through this blog, I explore the intersection of  education, cognition, and memory , uncovering practical strategies that enhance learning experiences, and increase  human intelligence . I pose the questions: Why should learners slow down to learn faster ? What is  meaningful learning ? How is heightened learner engagement rooted in the use of  memory ?  Teaching isn’t just about delivering content—it’s about  how learners process information, engage with material, and con...

  Increase Learning Accountability in Writing Instruction: Strengthening Cognitive Connections The rise of AI-generated writing presents a new challenge for instructors: ensuring that students actively engage in the learning process rather than simply outsourcing their work to artificial intelligence. When students rely too heavily on AI tools, they risk bypassing the cognitive processes necessary for meaningful learning , leading to a lack of critical thinking, creativity, and writing development. To counteract this, instructors must design writing activities that require authentic cognitive engagement and personal investment, ensuring that students remain active participants in their own learning. 1) Organic Writing Samples One key strategy is to ground writing assignments in organic, real-time experiences that AI cannot replicate. Instructors can begin by incorporating diagnostic writing samples at the start of class, allowing them to track students' authentic writing progress ...

When we refer to heightened learner engagement, we are not just talking about increased click-traffic or user activity; we are referring to the crucial role that  memory  plays in the deep cognitive processing that occurs during learning. Without memory consolidation, engagement is superficial—real learning requires meaningful interactions that help information transition from short-term to long-term memory.  True engagement happens when learners actively encode, retrieve, and apply information in ways that strengthen memory and understanding. Without memory consolidation, engagement remains superficial—real learning requires meaningful interactions that support the transition from short-term to long-term memory. I had the pleasure of attending the 2025 International TESOL conference, where I attended a presentation on memory, which is vital to learning. Our presenters were from University of Central Florida, Aimee Schoonmaker, Phd and Luiza Marques Porto, MA. True meanin...

  What does meaningful learning mean? Meaningful learning  may be referred to in different ways, or mean something different for different circumstances, but in my reflection of the definition, meaningful learning is: Simply put: Meaningful learning is transformation ; and transformation requires memory . Meaningful learning is transformation , and this transformation can only occur when memory plays a crucial role in encoding, retaining, and applying knowledge in ways that reshape understanding and deepen cognitive growth. Memory is a crucial part of this process of transformation, where new knowledge reshapes our understanding, deepens our thinking, and enhances our ability to apply what we’ve learned in meaningful ways. For me as an educator, transformation occurs when learners can  actively connecting new information to prior knowledge in a way that promotes deep understanding, retention, and application . Unlike rote memorization, which focuses on surface-leve...

  Our brains are wired for social interaction, and when we don’t get it, we lose nerve connections and lose certain nerve connections in the brain. Before covid, this was more noticeable in older people who lived alone, cut off from families, or couldn’t drive. Researchers saw that social isolation quickened age related cognitive decline, and could be at risk for developing Alzheimer’s or dementia.  After Covid and the lockdown, we saw more evidence of these brain changes in younger people. For example, a foggy feeling like not being able to remember certain words or feeling tired even though you haven’t really done anything physically demanding.  Social isolation does this because our brains are made up of a network of nerves that connect to one another. The tighter the connection between the nerves, the better we are able to transmit signals. There are a number of reasons for loosening connections, like inflammation, disease, or social isolation. Social isolation affect...

  Don’t miss out on meaningful learning when using AI! By leveraging AI-driven scaffolding, educators can provide personalized and supportive learning experiences that maximize learning and support academic integrity. The Educator’s Dilemma: Educators face a challenging dilemma: we want our students to benefit from the full range of technology, including AI, but worry it might skew the accuracy of assessments or bypass genuine learning. It’s natural to be concerned that students might rely on AI in ways that undermine their authentic learning or diminish the value of their work. Our goal is to use technology to support learning, not bypass learning. What strategies can educators use with technology to deepen meaningful learning? By integrating technology into scaffolding, teachers can offer personalized support that maximizes student learning while maintaining academic integrity. Intentional lesson planning with these tools ensures that students benefit from advanced technology wit...