Principles for Brain-Friendly Learning

Dana Alan Koch

Content

Dana Alan Koch is a learning scientist with 40 years of experience focusing on learning durability by researching, applying, and teaching the cognitive, technological, and social aspects of learning. Koch has researched the biology behind how the brain learns and uses that insight to teach others how to learn most effectively. He consistently works on grounding learning initiatives of all shapes and sizes in solid research and science. Most recently Dana led Accenture’s Institute for the Applied Learning Sciences where his team used the latest learning science research to enhance the quality and impact of learning initiatives. Dana has a BA from Brigham Young University in Organizational Communications and an MA from Northwestern University’s Institute for the Learning Sciences. He authored the TD@Work publication on Principles for Brain-Friendly Learning published in 2024. He was a contributing author to the ATD Handbook for Consultants published in 2024, Leading the Learning Function published in 2020 and the ATD Talent Foundations Books published in 2018. Dana serves on the advisory board for the Brandon Hall certification program. He has also served as chair of the ATD Forum Advisory Group in 2013 and 2014 and on the ATD Public Policy Council and the editorial board of CTDO (Chief Talent Development Officer) magazine. He has been a regular presenter at conferences, a published author, and is co-host of the Learning Geeks podcast.

Dana Alan Koch is a learning scientist with 40 years of experience focusing on learning durability by researching, applying, and teaching the cognitive, technological, and social aspects of learning. Koch has researched the biology behind how the brain learns and uses that insight to teach others how to learn most effectively. He consistently works on grounding learning initiatives of all shapes and sizes in solid research and science. Most recently Dana led Accenture’s Institute for the Applied Learning Sciences where his team used the latest learning science research to enhance the quality and impact of learning initiatives.

Dana has a BA from Brigham Young University in Organizational Communications and an MA from Northwestern University’s Institute for the Learning Sciences. He authored the TD@Work publication on Principles for Brain-Friendly Learning published in 2024. He was a contributing author to the ATD Handbook for Consultants published in 2024, Leading the Learning Function published in 2020 and the ATD Talent Foundations Books published in 2018. Dana serves on the advisory board for the Brandon Hall certification program. He has also served as chair of the ATD Forum Advisory Group in 2013 and 2014 and on the ATD Public Policy Council and the editorial board of CTDO (Chief Talent Development Officer) magazine. He has been a regular presenter at conferences, a published author, and is co-host of the Learning Geeks podcast.