How Kaizen supports InceptionU learners with Executive Functioning

There is a growing body of research to suggest that success in life goes well beyond intelligence and academic skills. One area gaining in prominence, among both educators and researchers, is Executive Function.

“Executive functioning is the new IQ,” says Samantha Woods, co-founder of Kaizen Education Services. Kaizen is a valued partner of InceptionU providing learning support to all cohorts.

What is executive function?

Some describe executive function as the management system of the brain. It refers to a set of skills that include working memory, flexible thinking, and self-control. We use these skills every day to learn, set goals, plan and get things done. Someone who struggles with executive function may find it hard to focus, be organized, stay on task, plan and prioritize and handle stress, among other things.

“Over the last 15 years, thanks to science and functional MRI testing, we are able to know so much more about the brain. It used to be thought of as behavioural issues/acting out, we weren’t able to see that the behaviour is an indicator of a lacking/lagging skill or unsolved problem. We didn’t have the science and now we do!”

Adults who go back into a full-time learning environment, especially one like InceptionU that is project-based and different from a classroom/textbook style of learning, can find themselves asking the question…“How do I learn again?”

Samantha Woods is the founder of Kaizen Educational Services, a trusted partner for InceptionU learning support

Since starting her work with InceptionU during Cohort 5 in 2020, Woods has noticed some key areas where learners need help:

• Mindset/unlearning - this is the biggest one to deconstruct
• Anxiety/fear
• Stress management - ability to plan and prioritize in such an intense program - what’s urgent, important, urgent and important?
• Working in team/team building

Taking what she learned from studying neuroscience and her own work with both elementary and high school students, Woods developed a customized three-part program for all InceptionU learners. Here’s what the program looks like:

• The Science of Learning - all students complete a Learner Profile Assessment
• Breakout Sessions - all learners choose 4 sessions: Stress Management, Flexible Thinking, Attention, Study / Learning strategies, Hodge Podge and Q&A session with Samantha
• 1:1 sessions (optional)

“We learn alot about people and people learn a lot about themselves during this process. We may uncover areas they need help with and, at the same time, uncover strength areas they didn’t even know they had. They can use that information when putting together their resume and applying for jobs,” says Woods.

Let’s take the example of Lisa,* a recent InceptionU learner who was struggling in the program. Lisa was very intelligent, but felt embarrassed and ashamed that she wasn’t picking things up as quickly as others. It was something she’d struggled with her whole life, and she needed help.

Lisa met with Samantha and the Kaizen team and completed a Learning Profile Assessment, essentially, a blueprint for your brain measuring 10 key skills that are essential to learning and life. The assessment revealed Lisa had a slow processing speed, meaning it takes her longer to take in, make sense of and respond to information.

She worked with Kaizen to find strategies - the “now, what?” according to Woods - to help her find success in the program.

Some of the strategies she implemented:

• Recording sessions
• Getting notes ahead of time
• Articulating her needs to teammates - “I will need more time with this.”
• Articulating her needs to facilitators - “I may need to ask a few more questions”
• Using the extra resources provided to her - Discord, mentors, teammates
• Focusing on and sharing her strengths with people
• Being kind to herself - positive self talk

Kaizen has been working with InceptionU since C5 and feedback has been positive.

“Personally, Samantha coached me on effective self-management, giving me tools and tips that helped to make me a more effective learner. Samantha is a great listener who knows just the adjustments one needs to make to improve one's performance,” says Yemi Obayemi, a former InceptionU learner who completed the program in March of 2021.

Empowering the learner with the self-knowledge to excel

“It’s really fascinating to watch the learner at InceptionU evolve and grow. It’s true intrinsic motivation because there are no marks and no honour roll at the end of the program. We love empowering these learners with the self-knowledge and strategies to excel,” says Woods.

Kaizen will soon be launching the Brain Hub Academy, a comprehensive online program that teaches people how to learn based on their unique brain profile. It’s aimed at all ages, from “4 to forever!” You can sign up for a free ebook, resources and early access at the Brain Hub Academy.

*names have been changed for privacy reasons