Every week, I write a short blurb about teaching and learning for my school’s parent newsletter. I’ve decided to post old ones on this site from time to time. If you’re interested in training on the Science of Learning for this or next year, please get in touch.
– Dr. G
What is the Science of Learning?
Parents sometimes assume that most of the teaching their child receives is “based on” or “informed by” research. In some cases, it is. At the moment, there is a movement spreading across the globe – from the UK, to Australia, to pockets of the United States – around what is called the “science of learning.” Science of learning practitioners are taking back the profession by looking past the buzz words and fads to focus on what research has shown to be effective.
But not everyone is aware of the science of learning movement, and not everyone cares. Some would rather just keep doing what they’re doing, which largely equates to Googling resources and making things up on the fly. It’s believed that every teacher is a “professional” that should make all of their own decisions without screening these decisions against what research has shown to be effective. Others may think they already teach with research-based methods.
This weekend I met with over 300 teachers to talk about the science of learning. My presentation included advice on how to sustain attention, manage cognitive load, and facilitate effortful practice. In the coming weeks, I am going to be working to bring this information – scientific knowledge that is in high demand among a small contingent of schools – to our staff in every way I know possible. Our students deserve an education that is aligned with the science of learning.
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