Class Description - Examining: Ignite the Brain! Boosting Learning Through Exercise & Fitness (8.21.26-8.20.27)

Date: Register anytime between August 21, 2026 - August 20, 2027
Course #: EDIA 535
Number of License Renewal/Graduate Credit Hours: 3
Registration Deadline: Last day to register is Friday, August 20th 2027 by 5:00 p.m.

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Big News! ISEA Graduate Credit is Back—and Better!

Ready to take the next step in your professional development? We've just launched an exciting partnership with Upper Iowa University to bring back Graduate Credit for ISEA Academy courses!

This collaboration provides two major wins for you:

More Affordable: We've successfully negotiated a lower cost per Graduate credit hour! Invest in your education without breaking the bank. (The new rate is in the "Fees" section at the top of the page.)
A Head Start on Your Degree: A select group of your ISEA Academy courses can now count as elective credit in an Upper Iowa University graduate program. Get credit for the professional learning you're already doing! (Don't forget to check with your program advisor for all the details!)

Important Note for Graduate Credit: To be eligible to receive Graduate credit through Upper Iowa University, you must possess a bachelor's degree from an institution that its regional accreditation association recognizes.

Get ready to dive in! This is your opportunity to enroll in a self-paced, three-credit, up to 2-month course that is entirely on your schedule!

Once your registration is processed, look for an email from your instructor packed with everything you need to know. As soon as you get those instructions, you're ready to begin!

Remember, you have up to 2 months to complete all your assignments, discussions, and the final project. It's flexible, but the clock is ticking!

Don't miss out! The deadline to register for License Renewal or Graduate credit is Friday, August 20, 2027 by 5:00 p.m. Secure your spot today!

Here are Examples of how it Will Work:

Participants will have at least 2 full months after registration to complete their course.

Register FEBRUARY 1ST and start the course as soon as your registration has been processed. You will have until APRIL 30TH to complete the class.
Register FEBRUARY 25TH and start the course as soon as your registration has been processed. You will have until APRIL 30TH to complete the class.

Students must monitor their progress and finish the course within 2 months after registration.

If there is a problem or any questions, it is the student’s responsibility to contact the instructor.o contact the instructor.

Course Description:

The research is clear and it’s time for educators to rethink the body-brain connection! Sure, exercise and fitness build strong bodies, but they are also crucial to building strong brains and developing better learners. Examining: Ignite the Brain: Boosting Learning through Exercise & Fitness is a 3 credit hour course in which participants will explore exercise’s power to improve student learning and grades; help fight addiction; boost mood, and reduce symptoms associated with ADHD, depression, anxiety, and stress. Whether you’re a P.E. or classroom teacher, this course is for you.

Organization

The course is organized into 8 modules and presented in a modified, self-paced format. Participants are encouraged to access the course regularly and make reasonable progress, but there are no due dates attached to individual assignments. Instead there are 2 absolute due dates (mid-term and the last day of class) to provide flexibility and to better accommodate participants' busy schedules. Lessons will be taught and goals will be met using a combination of text readings, external resources, activities, assignments, and enrichment materials. The instructor will offer feedback and coaching on discussions and assignments.

Course Objectives

By the end of the course, participants will:

Understand the major mechanism connecting exercise to positive and increased brain functioning;
Understand how exercise impacts student learning and achievement;
Understand the effects of exercise on mood and symptoms of ADHD, depression, anxiety, stress and addiction; and
Know exercise and fitness models and regimens that benefit brain activity and support student achievement.

Course Topics

1. How exercise is impacting learning
2. Exercise, brain growth & stress
3. Exercise & anxiety
4. Exercise & depression
5. Exercise & ADHD
6. Exercise & addiction
7. Hormones & aging
8. Developing a regimen

Required Text:
Spark:The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain (2008) by John J. Ratey. Paperback reprint 2013.
This book is available for purchase through bookstores and online.

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**Important Information for You**
Please read through as these are Frequently Asked Questions in which answers can be found within this page.

1. The instructor will email you once the start date arrives with information on how to get started in the class:

Emails regarding this class will come from the instructor/organization with an email address ending in professional.development@educateteachers.org;
Be sure to check your junk/spam/clutter folders-mailboxes in case the email address isn't recognized as a known address; and
IF YOU ARE USING A SCHOOL EMAIL ADDRESS, many schools have their network security filters set up to push unknown emails directly to spam and you will not see even see it-if this is the case you will need to either talk to your IT department and request emails with the email address be allowed through or let us know you want to use a different email address.

2. The Tabs at the top of the registration page have important additional information regarding this class:

The Syllabus gives information of what will be expected of you in the course. Generally it will include course policies, rules and regulations, required texts, and a schedule of assignments;
The Fees will let you know how much this class will cost depending on the type of credit you want to take it for as well as if you are an ISEA member or not;
The Cancellation Policy is important so you know how to cancel if you need to and how refunds are handled; and
The ISEA Official Transcript page tells you how to access your transcript once the class has ended.