ST. BONAVENTURE — Two St. Bonaventure University faculty members have authored a new book that addresses some of the most commonly misunderstood educational and cognitive concerns in teaching and learning.

Dr. Althea Need Kaminske and Dr. Adam Brown are the authors of “Five Teaching and Learning Myths — Debunked,” published by Routledge Press.

“Five Teaching and Learning Myths” draws from research in developmental and educational psychology, cognitive science and the learning sciences. Attention, problem-solving, testing and presentation style are all integral to student achievement but, in practice, are often muddled by pervasive myths, the authors say. In a straightforward, easily digestible format, this book unpacks the evidence for or against each myth, explains the issues concisely and with credible evidence and provides kindergarten through 12th grade teachers with strategies for their classrooms and lesson plans.

Kaminske, assistant professor of psychology, and Brown, associate professor of elementary education, are co-directors of the university’s Center for Attention, Learning & Memory, which opened last fall. They have years of investigative research into the strengths and weaknesses of human memory and learning.

The center facilitates and supports faculty development for professors as well as promotes research in the areas of attention and learning across departments and schools. The interdisciplinary center is a joint effort between the School of Education and the School of Arts and Sciences. Kaminske works in the Department of Psychology and represents the School of Arts and Sciences in collaboration with Brown, who works in several programs in the School of Education. This joint effort among schools at St. Bonaventure demonstrates the direction the university is taking to capitalize on strengths and partnerships to improve teaching and learning across campus and the local area.

During the center’s first year, staff members have undertaken three research projects: focusing on the effects of cell phones on attention and learning; mindfulness and learning; and a review of the effects of cell phones on attention. In addition to research, the center offers workshops for university faculty and staff as well as for K-12 teachers and teacher educators.

Kaminske teaches courses in cognition, memory, sensation and perception, statistics and research design. Her research focuses on the application of learning science to the classroom. She earned her doctorate and master’s degrees in cognitive psychology from Purdue University and did her undergraduate work at Indiana University, where she received a Bachelor of Arts in linguistics and Bachelor of Science in psychology.

Brown teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in human development and research design and offers related courses designated as honors. His most recent research centers on attention in the classroom and its effect on learning and memory.

Brown holds doctorate and master’s degrees in educational psychology and statistics and a certificate of advanced study in educational research from the State University of New York at Albany and bachelor’s degrees in psychology and philosophy from the State University of New York at Fredonia.

“Five Teaching and Learning Myths” is available via the publisher’s website and Amazon. For more information about the Center for Attention, Learning and Memory, visit sbucalm.blog.