When thinking about presentations, lectures or seminar events, one often envisions a large, stuffy lecture hall where crowds ready their ears for the long and often dull haul.

Dr. Suzanne Popke, of the Wisconsin Community Mental Health Center, however, takes a different approach. She will be demonstrating that with a lecture on Educational Psychology at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 25 at the Wisconsin Community Mental Health Center, located at 143 W. Main St.

“This presentation will be individualized,” Popke said.

Her lecture will include interactive presentations and activities set in a supportive environment, based on how to better the learning experience for each person.

Regardless if you are preparing for a teaching career, or you are a professor, student or a family member of a student, Popke said this event can be for anyone.

“The idea is to encourage a parent or a student to become an advocate for themselves and to realize there are things they have power over that can affect their success,” Popke said.

Popke said educational psychology is looking at how learning can be facilitated through all parts of the cognitive and emotional systems.

“A lot of times we’re thinking about only the cognitive part of it – concentration skills or memory skills – but we also want to include an emotional aspect that includes motivation,” Popke said.

Popke also said that both the attitude of the individual, as well as the attitudes that surround and make up the environment around them, can impact the learning process.

“Attitudes of ‘I can’t,’ or even the opposite competitive end of the spectrum of ‘I have to compete and be the best,’ can both inhibit a student’s potential,” Popke said.  “Whereas a student that maintains an attitude of wanting to learn and enjoy the process of learning can have an advantage.”

Her research has found that students who take the more advantageous approach are more receptive to information because “more parts of the brain are activated in this state.  Actually, the brain is most activated when we’re daydreaming,” Popke said.

Popke’s presentation includes a $15 cost and no need to register in advance. There will be plenty of room for all those interested in attending.

Popke said those wishing to participate are encouraged to consider if there are any specific concerns they personally wish to explore about academic challenges and to prepare themselves for an informative, as well as fun, evening.