Online Courses for Teachers

Solving Core Executive Function Challenges

(Grades K-12) / Flex Course

PDI Course Number: 165T02 / UCSD Course Number: EDUC42624

Course Description

Do your students struggle with specific executive functions? Are you looking for effective strategies to improve students’ executive function skills so they are more capable in the classroom? Students with executive function challenges benefit from being taught specific skills that, when implemented, can really improve their academic performance. This online professional development course for teachers takes a deep dive into the three core executive functions of working memory, cognitive flexibility, and inhibition control so that they can better guide their students to sustainable learning. The course begins by examining both the metacognitive and social-emotional strands of executive function, including the important role that motivation plays in it. From there, the course takes a deep dive into the three core executive functions, where teachers examine the pivotal role that working memory plays in learning and how attention issues can diminish its impact. Next, teachers explore how flexible thinking leads to metacognition, self-regulation, and self-evaluation, all important executive function skills. Specific strategies to strengthen students’ inhibitory control are explored next, as this can improve classroom management struggles. The importance of organization is also explored, including several strategies to boost students’ time and task management skills. Last, but certainly not least, teachers explore how to support and strengthen their students’ executive functions in the content areas of mathematics, reading, and writing. By the end of this continuing education course, teachers will feel more confident in their quest to leverage best executive function practices as they guide their students to sustainable learning. This online professional development course is worth 3 ⅓ semester units/5 quarter units (50 hours of training) from University of California San Diego (UCSD) Division of Extended Studies. For detailed information on receiving university credit for your PDI professional development course, visit our credit page.

Need help? Kimya Nabavi, PDI Program Coordinator, is ready to assist.