---
title: The Learning Success Blog | Peter Barnes (4)
description: "Peter Barnes has diverse background and experience that ranges from adult education & training in a human resources context, through learning & business innovation, to the leadership of large organisations. He has also worked in finance journalism, accountancy, and digital marketing.
\nPeter has been involved with the LearnFast Group since 2003, when he joined his wife, Devon, to help her manage the growth in the numbers of schools and individuals using LearnFast’s educational software programs to address language and literacy challenges for learners of all ages.
\nPeter is a passionate snow skier and has a wide range of interests – from mirror neurons, to American politics (and many others!). Peter has a vision for improving the education of future generations through the innovative and creative use of emerging technologies. (4)"
---
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# The learning success blog
Filter by tag
All Fast ForWord Learning Capacity Podcasts Brain Science Learning Capacity Success Stories Auditory Processing Disorder Learning Difficulties Reading Dyslexia For Principals Educational Neuroscience Attention Maths School Autism Spelling Memory Confidence & Resilience English Language Learners Literacy Writing Artificial Intelligence Behaviour Comprehension Adult Brain Fitness Social & Emotional Learning Teaching
# Peter Barnes
#### Peter Barnes has diverse background and experience that ranges from adult education & training in a human resources context, through learning & business innovation, to the leadership of large organisations. He has also worked in finance journalism, accountancy, and digital marketing. Peter has been involved with the LearnFast Group since 2003, when he joined his wife, Devon, to help her manage the growth in the numbers of schools and individuals using LearnFast’s educational software programs to address language and literacy challenges for learners of all ages. Peter is a passionate snow skier and has a wide range of interests – from mirror neurons, to American politics (and many others!). Peter has a vision for improving the education of future generations through the innovative and creative use of emerging technologies.
[](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/primary-teacher-success-for-her-struggling-students-with-fast-forword)
[Learning Difficulties](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/topic/learning-difficulties), [Reading](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/topic/reading), [Fast ForWord](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/topic/fast-forword), [Learning Capacity Success Stories](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/topic/learning-capacity-success-stories)
### [Primary Teacher: Success for Her Struggling Students with Fast ForWord](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/primary-teacher-success-for-her-struggling-students-with-fast-forword)
 [Peter Barnes](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/author/peter-barnes)
"Our results with the Fast ForWord program show overwhelming success," says Tina Morse, Grade Two Teacher.
As a teacher and a parent, Tina knows first hand the many challenges struggling learners and readers face.
After trying the Fast ForWord123 language and reading program with her son to address [auditory processing](https://www.learnfasthq.com/how-auditory-processing-disorder-and-dyslexia-are-related) and [language impairment](https://www.learnfasthq.com/adhd-auditory-processing-disorder-or-specific-language-impairment) issues, she saw his reading skill level improve eight months in only three months’ time.
It was then she realized how much this neuroscience-based program could help students at her school.
Read below for a quick summary - there is a link at the end of this summary to the full case study about ***helping students with dyslexia and other reading challenges make rapid gains.***
**One-on-one tutoring plus Fast ForWord123 for struggling readers**
The school uses a one-on-one tutoring system based on the Orton–Gillingham multisensory approach to reading instruction. And they also give the struggling students individualised instruction via the [**Fast ForWord123** ](https://www.learnfasthq.com/what-is-fast-forword123)program for 30 minutes a day.
[Read More](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/primary-teacher-success-for-her-struggling-students-with-fast-forword)
[](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/anne-donnell-gallipoli-nurses-story-on-new-guided-reading-technology)
[Fast ForWord](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/topic/fast-forword), [Podcasts](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/topic/podcasts)
### [Anne Donnell: Gallipoli Nurse’s Story on New Guided-Reading Technology](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/anne-donnell-gallipoli-nurses-story-on-new-guided-reading-technology)
 [Peter Barnes](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/author/peter-barnes)
A 100 year old set of diaries written by a World War 1 Australian nurse, Anne Donnell has become the basis of 19 lessons using e-Book technology designed to help young readers improve their reading fluency and comprehension.
First, Anne's diaries became a children's book, ***Anne Threw a Streamer***, written by Jan Leader and Mitch Mitchell.
Then the book was specially adapted to the e-Book format on [Clear Fluency](https://www.learnfasthq.com/school-programs-readingassistant), which features voice recognition technology that can provide a class of students with non-judgemental real-time corrective feedback as they read aloud.
Authors, Jan and Mitch spoke to The Learning Capacity Podcast about their family connection to Anne Donnell and how their book includes themes of Australian and World history, feminism, racism and compassion and sacrifice amid terrible suffering.
It was fascinating to hear that on her return from the War, Anne became a single mum adopting and raising an aboriginal half-caste girl.
[Read More](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/anne-donnell-gallipoli-nurses-story-on-new-guided-reading-technology)
[](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/5-keys-for-building-maths-skills-dr-dion-khlentzos)
[Maths](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/topic/maths), [Podcasts](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/topic/podcasts)
### [5 Keys for Building Maths Skills: Dr Dion Khlentzos](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/5-keys-for-building-maths-skills-dr-dion-khlentzos)
 [Peter Barnes](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/author/peter-barnes)
After 20 years as a maths teacher and tutor, Dr Dion Khlentzos, has a clear view of what's necessary for building students' maths skills.
His top five keys to maths success include building on students' prior knowledge, relating maths to their everyday life and strengthening their motivation and belief in their own maths abilities.
He discussed the five keys in an interview on The Learning Capacity Podcast where he commented on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), and whether artificial intelligence will reduce the need for many people to understand maths.
Dr Khlentzos also commented on how technology like Zoom and Skype has enabled maths tutoring to be delivered to students who find it hard to attend face to face sessions with a tutor.
[Read More](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/5-keys-for-building-maths-skills-dr-dion-khlentzos)
[](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/learning-difficulties-terms-explained-16-definitions-for-parents-and-teachers)
[Learning Difficulties](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/topic/learning-difficulties), [Reading](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/topic/reading), [Fast ForWord](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/topic/fast-forword), [Podcasts](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/topic/podcasts)
### [Learning Difficulties: 16 Terms Explained for Parents & Teachers](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/learning-difficulties-terms-explained-16-definitions-for-parents-and-teachers)
 [Peter Barnes](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/author/peter-barnes)
If you have a child with language challenges, [reading problems](https://www.learnfasthq.com/how-we-help) or learning difficulties, and you have sought help from their teacher, speech pathologist or other learning professional, you may have heard some unfamiliar terms.
Words like phonemic awareness, [auditory processing](http://blog.learnfasthome.com.au/blog/poor-listening-skills-could-it-be-auditory-processing-disorder), listening comprehension and working memory.
Listen to Episode 96 of The Learning Capacity Podcast for explanations of 16 common terms used in discussions about learning difficulties. Once you understand these, you should be able to have more productive discussions with your child's teacher or therapists.
[Read More](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/learning-difficulties-terms-explained-16-definitions-for-parents-and-teachers)
[](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/rebuilding-a-brain-after-chronic-inflammation-sarah-rasborseks-story)
[Brain Science](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/topic/brain-science), [Learning Capacity](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/topic/learning-capacity), [Podcasts](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/topic/podcasts)
### [Rebuilding a Brain after Chronic Inflammation: Sarah Rasborsek's Story](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/rebuilding-a-brain-after-chronic-inflammation-sarah-rasborseks-story)
 [Peter Barnes](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/author/peter-barnes)
Can you imagine what it would be like to suddenly forget your past, to have pounding headaches, dizziness and tremors?
To be unable to find words when you wanted to speak?
To experience an extreme loss of energy, have your blood pressure drop dangerously low, and find yourself uncomfortably sensitive to sounds and sunlight?
And to feel that as well as having no past, you have no future?
Sarah Rasborsek did. She experienced all that and more when she "fried her brain" and suffered chronic brain inflammation during a triathlon on Queensland's Gold Coast in January 2018.
[Read More](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/rebuilding-a-brain-after-chronic-inflammation-sarah-rasborseks-story)
[](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/remedial-reading-on-steriods-a-learning-support-teachers-story)
[Learning Difficulties](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/topic/learning-difficulties), [Reading](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/topic/reading), [Fast ForWord](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/topic/fast-forword), [Learning Capacity Success Stories](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/topic/learning-capacity-success-stories), [Podcasts](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/topic/podcasts)
### [Remedial Reading on Steroids - A Learning Support Teacher's Story](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/remedial-reading-on-steriods-a-learning-support-teachers-story)
 [Peter Barnes](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/author/peter-barnes)
Learning support teacher, Moya Gibb-Smith has used most of the well-known remedial reading programs to help her students who were struggling to learn to read.
While she said they all had merit, there was one program that stood out for her. "It was like doing it on steroids. It was just so much quicker, so much more effective".
Moya described her journey from a young "reluctant teacher" to a passionate remedial reading teacher in an episode on The Learning Capacity Podcast. Listen to the podcast, or read the transcript of her story, which includes how her husband was "going a bit blue-mouldy" on the way.
[Read More](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/remedial-reading-on-steriods-a-learning-support-teachers-story)
[](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/dr-marianela-diaz-innovative-early-bilingual-education-in-panama)
[Podcasts](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/topic/podcasts)
### [Dr Marianela Diaz - Innovative Early, Bilingual Education in Panama](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/dr-marianela-diaz-innovative-early-bilingual-education-in-panama)
 [Peter Barnes](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/author/peter-barnes)
Psychologist and Educator, Dr Marianela Diaz searched the world for best practices in early learning before establishing the first Cleverest Education learning centre in Panama.
She discovered Singapore leads in many aspects of early education and spoke about her experiences in a conversation on the Learning Capacity Podcast.
Dr Diaz says, "Since I am a psychologist and I'm into education, I know that the most important years are the very early on, the first five years is where you make your neuron connections. So, that's why we decided to go into early education".
"I also wanted to do something that would actually coexist with cognitive learning and emotional learning".
[Read More](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/dr-marianela-diaz-innovative-early-bilingual-education-in-panama)
[](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/why-sullivans-mother-got-fast-forword-for-autism-help-address-root-causes)
[Autism](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/topic/autism), [Fast ForWord](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/topic/fast-forword), [Learning Capacity Success Stories](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/topic/learning-capacity-success-stories)
### [Why Sullivan’s Mother got Fast ForWord for Autism Help: Address Root Causes](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/why-sullivans-mother-got-fast-forword-for-autism-help-address-root-causes)
 [Peter Barnes](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/author/peter-barnes)
Why did the mother of 9 year old autistic boy, Sullivan, choose the [Fast ForWord program](https://blog.learnfasthq.com/what-is-fast-forword123) for him, when she had a multitude of interventions available?
And did this neuroscience–based program help him?
Sullivan’s mum writes a blog, [Rethinkinglearning](https://rethinkinglearningblog.wordpress.com/), where she has documented her journey since he was diagnosed with autism at the age of two.
She writes:
[Read More](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/why-sullivans-mother-got-fast-forword-for-autism-help-address-root-causes)
[](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/ekamai-international-school-building-english-language-brains-fast)
[English Language Learners](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/topic/english-language-learners), [Fast ForWord](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/topic/fast-forword)
### [Ekamai International School: Building English Language Brains Fast](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/ekamai-international-school-building-english-language-brains-fast)
 [Peter Barnes](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/author/peter-barnes)
The [**Ekamai International School**](http://www.eis.ac.th/about-us-2/school-profile) in Bangkok was close enough to visit whilst we were at the Educating with Neuroscience 2017 Asia conferences in November.
This Seventh Day Adventist school has over 1,300 K-12 students who come from 33 different countries and English is typically not their native language.
I was intrigued to see the focus of Ekamai school’s leaders on the importance of English. Students can’t miss the prominently displayed signs proclaiming:
***Be Competitive Globally, Speak English Fluently***
[Read More](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/ekamai-international-school-building-english-language-brains-fast)
[](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/autism-fast-forword123-what-a-difference-a-few-months-make)
[Autism](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/topic/autism), [Fast ForWord](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/topic/fast-forword), [Learning Capacity Success Stories](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/topic/learning-capacity-success-stories)
### [Autism & Fast ForWord123: What a Difference a Few Months Make](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/autism-fast-forword123-what-a-difference-a-few-months-make)
 [Peter Barnes](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/author/peter-barnes)
In the [Rethinking Learning Blog](https://rethinkinglearningblog.wordpress.com/2017/06/22/what-a-difference-a-few-months-make/) a mother of a 9-year old autistic boy wrote how the Fast ForWord123 programs have improved his expressive language skills, listening skills, ability to follow directions, conversation skills, desire to interact with others, social skills and reading comprehension.
The mother, who calls herself by her blogger title, 'Mama Woz' says, "the progress he’s made in the 3.5 months since starting Fast ForWord has been truly exponential".
**Here is her story, courtesy of the Rethinking Learning Blog:**
[Read More](https://www.learnfasthq.com/blog/autism-fast-forword123-what-a-difference-a-few-months-make)
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