Group Discount Available - Brainology® Program

[mamak]

REVISED

Discount pricing has been approved. Let me know if your interested. Total cost would be $22.85

I need 12 more interested to complete a bulk order.

The Brainology® Program: Introduction for Parents
www.brainology.us/parent/programDescription.aspx
Cultivating the Growth Mindset
The goal of the Brainology® program is to help students develop a growth mindset so that they think of their intelligence as something they can develop through study and learning rather than as something fixed, so that they thereby increase their sense of self-efficacy and motivation to learn. We approach this by teaching students how the brain functions, learns, and remembers, and how it changes in a physical way when we exercise it. In addition, the program provides a practical set of skills for tackling academic challenges by showing students how to apply this knowledge to their schoolwork.

Structure of the Program
The Brainology® program is designed as an online, challenge-based, interactive, multimedia, instructional program. In an introduction plus four units that each take about 30-45 minutes to complete, students follow animated teenage characters Chris and Dahlia as they tackle various problems in their most difficult subjects. Students visit the lab of eccentric brain scientist Dr. Cerebrus and learn about the basic structure and function of the brain: how thinking occurs, how learning and memory work, how to develop and change the brain, and how to improve their study habits and skills in light of this knowledge. The students gain experience in visualizing and applying these ideas through interactive activities and exercises, and they reflect on their own challenges and learnings through the use of an e-journal. The goal is for them to understand that they have great untapped potential and that the development of their mental ability is largely within their own control, as well as to provide them with study habits and skills that will help them take action.

Easy Access
The program is all accessed online. All you need to run the Brainology® software is a computer with an internet connection and headphones or speakers.

This is also a nice summery with charts and graphics.

I’m wondering how many millermoms are having difficulties with your MS or HS student's motivation and study skills? Would you be interested in pooling our resources to get special pricing on the Brainology Study Skills program. I was going to purchase for DS but it is expensive to buy just one.

The Brainology® Program is priced as a course.

Family Pricing
The price for a single child to take the Brainology® course is US$99, which includes materials to support the lessons in between sessions and after finishing the program. The price for siblings is discounted (the second license is US$76 and any additional sibling is $50).

Schools, Districts, PTAs and other Organizations
The discount volume price for organizations purchasing 20 or more licenses is US$20 per student taking the Brainology® online course.

If I can get at least 20 interested in purchasing this at the reduced price or just 20% of the price charged to families, I would be glad to purchase the bulk licenses and coordinate the individual sales among us. The price may be slightly higher than $20.00 after including tax and possible mailing hard-copies if any, to each of you. Brainology can only be used on one child per license so if you have two kids that you want to use it then you would need to purchase two licenses. The program is apparently activated on the internet with a pin number for each license.

If you think this may be something you would like to learn more about please visit the links below and after you have learned about Brainology and if you would like to complete a purchase in the next 2 weeks please PM me with your name, email address, phone number and the quantity of programs you would like to purchase. I would need get at lease 17 more committed for this this to work out.

I’ll be contacting the company to see if they will agree to selling in bulk to the parents of millermom. If they agree I’ll provide the exact $ amount and payments can be made either by Paypal (my preference) or snail mailing me a check. Mayleng has given me permission to make this offer here however she or millermoms are in no way responsible for the transactions which I will gladly coordinate. Please do not commit to purchasing if you are not serious because I do not want to get stuck with more programs than I need. The exact amount will be disclosed prior to my purchasing. I will get more specifics tomorrow and hopefully approval from the company to purchase in bulk.

Also, fyi, Brainology® was awarded the CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Innovative Program of the Year Award in 2008

Brainology® was designed to help all students. The program is used in a variety of settings including programs targeting students labeled as learning disabled, those labeled as gifted, and mainstream classrooms. The growth mindset can help any student (and adult) pursue a more fulfilling life.

See the informative links provided by the maker

First, the following presentation may be helpful, as it gives an overview of the growth mindset research that Dr. Dweck has performed and what the Brainology® program is about:

www.brainology.us/websitemedia/info/brainology_intro.ppt (powerpoint format)

www.brainology.us/websitemedia/info/brainology_intro_pres.pdf (adobe acrobat pdf)

The following brochure and web page introduces the program as well as some of the research:

www.brainology.us/websitemedia/brainology_introduction.pdf

www.brainology.us/webnav/program.aspx

You may also be interested in the testimonials page at:
www.brainology.us/program/testimonials.aspx

And we’re also putting together a page with video testimonials at:
www.brainology.us/webnav/videotestimonials.aspx
(although so far we only have high school students in it – we need to record more students – that’s why this page is not public yet, not linked to other pages on our website). Note that the last video, Ms. Platz, talks about success with the CAHSEE test, which you mentioned.

We also have a demo at:
www.brainology.us/webnav/demo.aspx

And there are lots of articles discussing Dr. Dweck’s work at:
www.brainology.us/webnav/about.aspx

[dihicks6]

Mamak, I'm interested -- can you give me the shortened version of what the program is? I will go through the links, but just wondered if you had looked it over and what your opinion is?

[Mayleng]

Add me to the list.

[wimom]

Just what my dd needs! Add me to the list.

I can't figure out how to PM if some one can explain I'll send you all my info

[mamak]

Di you edit my letters you know I can't summarize Thy these two links for the basics

The Brainology® Program: Introduction for Parents
www.brainology.us/parent/programDescription.aspx
Cultivating the Growth Mindset
The goal of the Brainology® program is to help students develop a growth mindset so that they think of their intelligence as something they can develop through study and learning rather than as something fixed, so that they thereby increase their sense of self-efficacy and motivation to learn. We approach this by teaching students how the brain functions, learns, and remembers, and how it changes in a physical way when we exercise it. In addition, the program provides a practical set of skills for tackling academic challenges by showing students how to apply this knowledge to their schoolwork.

Structure of the Program
The Brainology® program is designed as an online, challenge-based, interactive, multimedia, instructional program. In an introduction plus four units that each take about 30-45 minutes to complete, students follow animated teenage characters Chris and Dahlia as they tackle various problems in their most difficult subjects. Students visit the lab of eccentric brain scientist Dr. Cerebrus and learn about the basic structure and function of the brain: how thinking occurs, how learning and memory work, how to develop and change the brain, and how to improve their study habits and skills in light of this knowledge. The students gain experience in visualizing and applying these ideas through interactive activities and exercises, and they reflect on their own challenges and learnings through the use of an e-journal. The goal is for them to understand that they have great untapped potential and that the development of their mental ability is largely within their own control, as well as to provide them with study habits and skills that will help them take action.

Easy Access
The program is all accessed online. All you need to run the Brainology® software is a computer with an internet connection and headphones or speakers.

This is also a nice summery with charts and graphics. www.brainology.us/websitemedia/info/brainology_intro_pres.pdf

[Mayleng]

wimom, just click mamak's name, and it will take you to her profile, on the top, click send a message. It will take you to the private mail system here.

[mamak]

Here is the fine print an privacy policy

www.brainology.us/termsofservice.aspx

[drjohnson]

I'm a bit confused by exactly what my kids would be doing, but for $20 each, I'm willing to try it.Ptme on the list too.

[mamak]

Here is a link to the home page www.brainology.us/default.aspx

And a quick guild to the program www.brainology.us/websitemedia/usingtheprogram.pdf

Dr Johnson each program license is only good for one student because they have to sign on and do a journal. Take a look and see if your interested still I will collect names for 2 weeks. I haven't received word back from the rep on if they will consider us a group.

I still need to get another 14 interested students.

[mamak]

Below response back from Brainology who has agreed to recognize us as a group.

I don't think anyone wants to go the CD route as it is very pricey at $150) so the purchase would be for the online program and I will distribute pin numbers and written materials via email.

The total price including tax and to defer paypal fees I would incur comes out to $22.85.

20.00 license
1.85. Sales Tax
1.00 Paypal fees (N/A if you pay by check but will delay pin access to assure the check clears)

I'll continue taking contact information for those interested and if we get enough I'll coordinate the transactions. The only reference I think I can give is my ebay account which has 100% good feedback from over 1700 transactions. I can forward that info upon request just PM me.


Hi Ms. MAMAK, (I changed to protect my privacy )

Thank you for your message regarding the Brainology® program.

Yes, we can make the bulk price available to you if you order 20 licenses or more. There are no other costs involved as long as everything is delivered online and nothing is shipped (California doesn’t charge sales tax as long as that is the case). The guides are available in PDF form and everything is delivered electronically through our website. To order you can simply follow the instructions at:
www.brainology.us/webpro/purchaseorg.aspx

The CDs would be separate. If any of the parents want the CD that would cost $150 + sales tax of 9.25%. The program in the CD is the same as the program in the website but we have more overhead involved in producing and shipping the CD.

If you have any other questions please don’t hesitate to contact us anytime. We also always appreciate any feedback you may have as we’re always striving to improve everything we do.

We look forward to serving you!

Best wishes,
The Brainology Team
www.brainology.us
[e-mail]

[dihicks6]

M, is there a time limit on using the program online?

[sleepy]

mamak, I wish I could say my son would use it and apply it, but I know it would be a waste of money. Big problems with changing his thinking on anything - even logic and knowing that it is not the right way to approach things doesn't change his mind. It isn't a subbornness, per se, just a rigid thought process for certain things.

Now, even though my DD is doing really well in school, she would probably love to learn more about the way the brainworks, but she doesn't have a second to breathe. I know in the long run this may free up time for her by allowing her to use better strategies, but unless this was something she could do in the summer, I can't see how she could fit it into her overwhelming schedule. It isn't so much that she is overbooked in the sense that she has 4 or 5 outside activities but homework, mandatory volunteer hours (yeah, I know those words don't go together) for school and honor society, religious education, practicing her music, and her one sport takes up almost every waking moment.

So, for me it is a timing issue.

[mamak]

DI - YOUR PAID ACCOUNT WILL TERMINATE SIX MONTHS FROM YOUR REGISTRATION DATE. At that time, you will no longer have access to the site nor to any materials or information that you have submitted. (stated in the fine print link I posted)

Sleepy - I understand the timing issues been there. With B lately he has the time but he is not putting it to good use without confrontations. Finally got the history teacher to provide timeliness and specific expectations early enough and B is just not doing what is expected. Lots of excuses.

I still need 13 more interested. Doesn't look like there is enough interest so this may not fly.

[healthy11]

Mamak, you might want to make another post with a different title, like "Group Discount Available - Who's Interested?" then explain Brainology helps with the study skills, motivation, etc. People may not click on this post because they never heard of Brainology before.
I am a member of Chadd, but for whatever reason, never heard of it. I doubt my son would take the time to do this, but I've attended seminars that cost more than $20, so I'd be willing to buy one and see what it's about.
I wonder, if you buy it now but I don't register it right away, would it still be usable "down the road?" (In other words, buy it now for the group discount, but first open it over summer break? Or do all the online access codes expire at the same time, 6 months after the first person registers their copy?)

[mamak]

Hi Healthy _ I would have to check into that. The way I found out about this program was on one of the past threads where someone had listed the links to the PowerPoints from the conferences. Thanks for the above suggestion. K

[aworriedmom]

I'm in X 2 teen aged kids. I agree that it may be hard to get them to do it, but I have thrown away a heck of a lot more than this on other methods, so we have nothing to lose.

Since the license will be good for only 6 months, can I make a suggestion? High school kids are relaly overwhelmed with homework, projects, etc. I wonder if we wouldn't get better compliance if we scheduled this so that the licenses ran through the summer, rather than starting right now and expiring before school ends? I know for us, summer would be a lot better. Think of this as an ESY type activity, since if your school is anything like ours, it is impossible to get ESY.

thanks!

[majorv]

mamak, I might be interested depending on what you find out about healthy's question on the timing of the 6 months. I wish I could say that my son would be interested...and he really needs it! My daughter, though, would benefit and she is more open to things that would help her in the study skills area. Let us know what you find out.

[dma]

Mamak, I am interested as well. How would we pay - would we pay the provider directly or send you a money order?

dma

[Mayleng]

dma

The total price including tax and to defer paypal fees I would incur comes out to $22.85.

20.00 license
1.85. Sales Tax
1.00 Paypal fees (N/A if you pay by check but will delay pin access to assure the check clears)

I'll continue taking contact information for those interested and if we get enough I'll coordinate the transactions. The only reference I think I can give is my ebay account which has 100% good feedback from over 1700 transactions. I can forward that info upon request just PM me.

[socalgal]

For $20 -- I'm in too!

[mamak]

Okay we got a positive response on that question here is what they said.


Hi Ms Mamak,
The program expires 6 months after they register the students (i.e. after
the students have a username and password as students), not six months after
payment. So there is no problem with them using it over the summer!

With regards to optimal time to do the program, the students can do the
program either doing the school year or the summer, and we've seen positive
results from either situation. As you mention, the school year has the
advantage of trying out the skills at school as they're going through the
program. That's valuable. We encourage the students to reflect on what
they're learning in between units and try it out. The summer has the
advantage that students have more time to focus on the Brainology program.
Either way, the program also comes with a summary handout of the key lessons
learned and a study plan handout that students can use on an ongoing basis
to identify skills they want to focus on and evaluate their progress over
time. Those resources are materials they can continue to use even after the
expiration of the program (and while they have access to the program they
can revisit sections and redo units to reinforce the material if they'd
like).

Let us know if you have any further questions!

Best wishes,
The Brainology Team

[mamak]

SO my list consists of the following:

Dihicks
Mayleng
wimom
Drjohnson x 2
worriedmom x 2
Dma
Mamak x 2
Socal
If I missed someone LMK.
So that makes 11 confirmed so far. "IF" we get to 20 I will contact you.

Will need your names and email addresses (sent to me on PM) to send you a paypal invoice which you can either pay that way or by Money order. I would also be sending the printed material and PIN numbers through email.

[suej]

www.stanfordalumni.org/news/magazine/2007/marapr/features/dweck.html

I believe this article explains the "mindset" behind the development of the program (unless somebody's swiped the name )

[dwolen]

My friend, Maureen, is interested x 2 for her son and daughter. She doesn't participate here, but I am her go-between, if that is ok.
Just to clarify, if its a go, you will let us know to send contact and payment information?
Thanks.

[hsmom]

I'm interested. I sent you a PM.

[majorv]

Put me down for one.

[healthy11]

mamak, I hope you don't think I'm being a pain, but I'm still not sure if the answer you got about the password situation is "complete." The reason I'm being such a "stickler" about it is because once before I participated in a group purchase for some other software.

What I'm afraid of is when you said, "The program expires 6 months after they register the students (i.e. after the students have a username and password as students), not six months after payment."

What I think it means is that YOU (being "they," the "teacher," in this purchase) are going to be the only person that the company will want to hear from, and each of us won't individually be able to sign on with our own usernames and passwords whenever we want to start and activate the program... I'm envisioning where YOU are going to have to act like you're getting new students to tutor every few weeks, for whenever we want our kids to begin the program. (Either that, or the company really will still want to activate ALL the programs as soon as you give them our individual names, whether it's when you pay, or several months later. )

[mamak]

Healthy - Here is what I asked them:

Subject: Another question on Bulk purchase

One more question on the bulk purchase. Several parents are wanting to
wait to use this during the summer when there is more free time. I want
to verify if the program expires 6 months after my payment or 6 months
after they activate the individual pin number. I am pretty sure what
your answer is on this but just want to verify because some parents
would like to have their kids use during the summer.

Is it more appropriate to use the program during school when they have
opportunities to try out the new mindset and study skills and learn from
doing or does it make a difference if the student used the program in
the summer when not in school? I'm assuming the journals may be
relating to the child self monitoring his results in school after a week
trying what they learn from each lesson. Could you perhaps expand on
this topic so I can explain to the group.

Thank you, MAMAK

Then they said:

Hi Ms Mamak,
The program expires 6 months after they register the students (i.e. after
the students have a username and password as students), not six months after
payment. So there is no problem with them using it over the summer!

With regards to optimal time to do the program, the students can do the
program either doing the school year or the summer, and we've seen positive
results from either situation. As you mention, the school year has the
advantage of trying out the skills at school as they're going through the
program. That's valuable. We encourage the students to reflect on what
they're learning in between units and try it out. The summer has the
advantage that students have more time to focus on the Brainology program.
Either way, the program also comes with a summary handout of the key lessons
learned and a study plan handout that students can use on an ongoing basis
to identify skills they want to focus on and evaluate their progress over
time. Those resources are materials they can continue to use even after the
expiration of the program (and while they have access to the program they
can revisit sections and redo units to reinforce the material if they'd
like).

Let us know if you have any further questions!

Best wishes,
The Brainology Team

Their terms state:

Refund and Termination
Within 30 days of your registration date, you may request a full refund of monies paid, provided that your account has not been used to access “Unit 3: Brain Building” or any subsequent Units of the program. To request such refund, you can email us at [e-mail] including your username. OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH IN THIS PARAGRAPH, ONCE YOUR PAYMENT HAS BEEN RECEIVED, BRAINOLOGY WILL NOT REFUND ANY PORTION OF YOUR PAYMENT FOR ANY REASON.

YOUR PAID ACCOUNT WILL TERMINATE SIX MONTHS FROM YOUR REGISTRATION DATE. At that time, you will no longer have access to the site nor to any materials or information that you have submitted. If you would like to subscribe for access to the website on an ongoing basis beyond six months, please contact us at [e-mail].

The website says:
Educator Registration

On this page you register as an adult educator. You will then proceed to purchase access for your students (see pricing) or validate your account if your school, district or youth program already has a contract.

Later you will be able to generate a student access code to give to your students so that they can come to the website and create their own usernames and passwords to use the program.


So as it sounds like the refund and terms do sound different than what I was told in the email. I'll write back on Monday and rephrase the question to be sure the customer service rep was not mistaken.

Regardless I'm moving forward and purchasing in about a week on my own or if there are enough interested at this price I am glad to coordinate the pin numbers to save the money. The way I look at it is it is only 45 min a week for 4 weeks and DS can give up a fraction of his Xbox time to better himself. He is having a much easier year this year because he has a clerical job as one of his elective classes and he gets to do his homework during that class much of the time. Now your son is older and away from home so getting him to do it during school would be beyond your control.

Will let you know what they say on Monday.

[mamak]

SO my list consists of the following:

Dihicks
Mayleng
wimom
Drjohnson x 2
worriedmom x 2
Dma
Mamak x 2
Socal
Dwolen x2
hsmom

So that makes 14 confirmed so far. "IF" we get to 20 I'll order.
If I missed someone LMK.

MAYBE (if the 6 mo starts when kid registers not me) majorv, Healthy

If I missed someone LMK.
So that makes 11 confirmed so far. "IF" we get to 20

To clarify one other thing. No refunds because they will not take back a portion of the 20 programs so it is not possible to give a refund to anyone as I know some will want to keep theirs.

[eoffg]

Healthy, it says:Later you will be able to generate a student access code to give to your students so that they can come to the website and create their own usernames and passwords to use the program.
So each person would get a link to the website, along with access code.
So the 6 months wouldn't begin until a person uses the access code and registers their username and password.