Cognitive Scientist
Educator
Author
I am a cognitive scientist, educator, and author. My students at Northeastern University where I am an Associate Professor call me Dr. P.
My mission is to translate the science of learning into more authentic and empowered learning for each student. I do this through the courses I teach, the workshops I provide, the research I conduct, and the books I write, including the triple award-winning book Designed to Learn and my latest book Game On? Brain On!
As a former classroom teacher, entrepreneur, and researcher, I draw from a deep knowledge of cognition and instruction working alongside learners and leaders to transform the nature of today's classrooms and the lives of our youngest citizens.
The future of learning is in our hands. Let’s use the best of cognitive science, invite the voices of every stakeholder and level up learning together.
100 trillion
the number of connections between neurons in the human brain
7
the number of items (plus or minus two) that can be held in short-term memory
2
an optimal number of months to distribute learning for long term retention
“We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.”
— Maya Angelou
Writing & Research
The science of learning provides a foundation for how to design the future of learning starting today.
My writing and research center on learning science with publications from from articles in peer-reviewed journals to widely read publications including: The Washington Post, USA Today, The 74, EdSurge, Getting Smart, ASCD, Digital Culturist, and many others.
I believe the science of learning should be shared with every educational stakeholder from parents, teachers, and policy makers, to schools and global communities to give all of our children the future they deserve.
Speaking, Workshops, and Professional Development
Bite-sized talks interspersed with active learning and discovery for any learning space
Designed to Learn & Designed for Good: Design thinking solutions to solve real-world problems with purpose and passion from local to global issues of sustainability through the lens of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG's),
From Paper to Plan: Transforming pain points in any space into opportunities to innovate using my ‘paper to plan’ protocol where root causes are unpacked and all stakeholders have a seat at the table,
Measuring What Matters: Hilariously fun approaches to teaching about formative assessment and the best assessment for learning to develop qualitatively rich assessment systems as dynamic as each learner in any learning space,
Bugatti and the Brain: Unpacking the science of learning to design, develop, and unleash more powerful learning in any space
View Speaking, Workshops, and Professional Development Available Here →
A century of research on how we learn is at your fingertips. Let's work together to design, develop, implement, and evaluate impactful learning experiences that will ignite the imagination and creativity of your learners.