2007 NLS Choice and Top Choice Book Awards

PRLog (Press Release) - Jun 29, 2007 -
The Neurobiological Learning Society (NL) is proud to announce it's Choice and Top Choice books for 2007.  Each year NLS, a society of educators, psychologists, physicians, linguists recognizes and honors the very best books, articles and enduring public education media on neurobiologically-based learning.  

2007 NLS TOP CHOICE BOOK AWARD - "The BEST of the best!"

Cameron, Brent and Barbara Meyer.  Nurturing Genius Through Natural Learning:  SelfDesign.  Sentient Publications, 2006.  ISBN 1592810442.  Softcover book.  230 pp.  Illustrated.  100 References.  2007 NLS Top Choice.
    Author's Synopsis:  "SelfDesign is both a history and introduction to a new methodology for education. Focusing on learning rather than teaching SelfDesign illustrates twenty-three years of research into three learning programs, Wondertree, Virtual High and SelfDesign Learning Community. Stories of learner's transformation and project based learning that emerged from the collaborative interests of each learning community illustrate how the methodology developed. Each chapter introduces one of thirteen different approaches or perspectives on this holistic, intregral, authentic and transformational learning model. The focus on this work is not the learning of content but the development of human beings and on the process of learning and being human itself. Learning is a ontological/neurological/relational/biological phenomenon unique to each individual yet common to numerous organizing models and methodologies developed throughout the book."
    Combined NLS reviewers' comments:  "A remarkable breakthrough in the area of neurobiologically-underpinned educational psychology, this work provides incisive insights into the definition, management and effective delivery of transformative, wholistic learning, specifically from K through 12.  Replete with examples of humanistic, student-centered, psychologically-grounded action research, this book is a 'must read' for educators, administrators, parents and students alike."

2007 NLS CHOICE BOOK AWARDS - "Three highly-recommended works"
(alphabetical by author's last name)

1.  Janik, Daniel.  A Neurobiological Theory and Method of Language Acquisition.  Lincom Europa, Munich.  ISBN 3895867632.  Softcover.  279 pages.  Illustrated.  230 References.  Indexed.  Includes an e-Book version available from Blish.com.
2007 NLS Choice.
    Author's synposis:  "Beginning with effective traumatic learning, the author carefully crafts a Neurobiological Learning (NL) Theory, including methodology and tenets.  When applied, two forms - traumatic and transformative - are noted and described.  A seminal work on language acquisition, the information applies equally to all forms of effective learning."
    Combined NLS Reviewers' comments:  "A seminal, visionary work - exhaustingly complete and copiously referenced - that argues compellingly for a single, unified, neurobiologically-based theory of not only second language learning but first language learning and learning in general.  A tour de force bringing together in one book important contemporary, anatomical, physiological, biochemical, medical imaging and experimental evidence, this work is, quite simply, a 'must have' for second language acquisition and education researchers."

2.  Janik, Daniel.  Unlock the Genius Within:  Neurobiological Trauma, Teaching and Transformative Learning.  Rowman & Littlefield Education, 2005.  ISBN 1578862914.  Softcover.  208 pp.  35 References.  Indexed.  2007 Eric Hoffer Award; 2007 NLS Choice.
    Author's synposis:  "Replacing education and teaching with non-traumatic, curiosity-based, discovery-driven, mentor-assisted transformational learning, the author explains, in his second book, the newest ideas on neurobiological and transformational learning."
    Combined NLS reviewers' comments:  "Reviews in terms understandable to educators and laypersons alike, the far-reaching results of applying neurobiologically-based learning theory in traumatic (conventional teaching) and curiosity-based, discovery-driven, mentor-assisted transformative learning forms.  An excellent text for a college or university-level physiological psychology or neurobiology of learning course as well as a handy teacher reference, this gem, actually written in transformative learning style, packs a powerful intellectual punch from beginning to end.  Interested in neurobiological and/or transformative learning?  Include, or better yet, begin with this book!"  

3.  Rousell, Michael A.  Sudden Influence:  How Spontaneous Events Shape Our Lives.  Pending publication by Praeger in 2007/8.  2007 NLS Choice.
    Author's synopsis:  "Events that produce intense emotional responses frequently activate a mental state of extreme suggestibility.  At such times, we may spontaneously adopt new beliefs or response predispositions and begin to act upon them automatically, as if they were programmed into our identity.  All this typically takes place outside our conscious awareness."
    Combined NLS reviewers' comments:  "An easy read that includes numerous examples of "sudden influence events," their perception, management, and overall importance in learning both inside and outside of the classroom.  Occasionally bordering on a manual on how to manipulate potentially traumatic learning events, Rousell's description of the role of hypnosis in education, and emphasis on the importance of creating linkages between information and feelings are timely and intriguing.  Sudden Influence is an excellent invitation into the important and fascinating world of neurobiological learning and a valuable addition to every well-stocked, educational reference library."

Through public recognition of the very best works on neurobiologically-based learning, the Neurobiological Learning Society seeks to meet its mission of "fostering the theory, methodology, ideals and concepts of neurobiologically-based, transformative learning and instruction throughout the world."

NLS is a private, membership-based educational society incorporated and recognized by the US Internal Revenue Service as a 509a2 public charity.  Individual, institutional and corporate interest, participation and donations are tax-deductible and gratefully acknowledged.  

NLS Choice and Top Choice Award logos can be downloaded for publicity purposes from the NLS website at

http://drjanik.tripod.com/nls.html

This press release is approved for distribution by the Neurobiological Learning Society.

Contact information:
Daniel S. Janik, President
Neurobiological Learning Society
2630 Kapiolani Blvd #1601
Honolulu, HI 96826 USA
Phone/FAX/mssg 808-941-3927
Email drjanik@gmail.com