The Seminal Albums of Educational Research - and how they apply in the classroom with Carl Hendrick, Mind the Gap, Ep.74 (S4,E11)
Mar 18, 2024
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Carl Hendrick discusses how education research can be compared to compiling classic rock albums for teachers, emphasizing the importance of play-based learning in early education. The discussion explores the challenges of applying research in the classroom and the need for teachers to engage with educational research to enhance their practices.
Engage with educational research actively through note-taking for better retention and understanding of content.
Recognize the varying effectiveness of direct instruction and play-based learning based on student context and development stage.
Deep dives
The Importance of Writing Down Key Points
Writing down key points after reading papers or interesting ideas from articles can help in summarizing and synthesizing information. This practice of synthesizing thoughts from various sources can improve retention and understanding of the content. By actively engaging with the material through note-taking, individuals can create a comprehensive overview of the information and make it more accessible for future reference. Both speakers highlighted the benefits of this approach in their own learning and professional development journeys.
The Nuances of Direct Instruction and Play-Based Learning
The discussion touched upon the different aspects of direct instruction and play-based learning, emphasizing that the effectiveness of these methods can vary based on the context and developmental stage of the students. The speakers highlighted the significance of understanding the purpose of group work in primary education, recognizing that it serves distinct objectives such as social interaction skills and emotional development. They also delved into the challenges faced by teachers in navigating between structured formal instruction and exploratory play-based learning, especially in the early years of education.
Engaging in Debates and Sharing Educational Research
The episode underscored the importance of actively engaging in debates surrounding educational practices and sharing research findings within the education community. By promoting discussions on social media platforms and encouraging critical analyses of research outcomes, educators like Carl contribute to advancing the collective knowledge and understanding of effective teaching methods. The speakers emphasized the value of interrogating ideas, questioning research methodologies, and collaborating on interpreting and applying research findings in educational settings.
Celebrating and Reflecting on Podcast Milestones
The hosts expressed gratitude for the podcast's growing listenership and reflected on reaching significant milestones like 200,000 listens and the upcoming fourth anniversary. They acknowledged the global reach of the podcast, receiving feedback from a diverse audience worldwide. The episode concluded by thanking the listeners for their support and engagement, highlighting the impact of the podcast in fostering discussions, sharing educational insights, and building a community of educators dedicated to continuous learning and professional development.
On this episode of Mind The Gap, Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner are joined by Carl Hendrick, author of two books about the science of teaching and learning and a third about bridging the gap between research and practice. Carl said he approached finding the research papers for his books in the same way that he would have compiled an album of seminal classic rock tracks, but with the criterion of having the greatest use for teachers and school leaders. The discussion turned to how education research is conducted and how "a lot of debates in education are people in different stages talking past one another". Carl also says that we now have a good understanding of the science of learning, but the three agree that especially in the early years and early primary education, even research-proven pedagogical practices like interleaving can't take the place of play-based learning, for example. Listen now to hear more on how teachers can really engage with educational research.
Carl Hendrick works at the Academica University of Applied Sciences in Amsterdam where his focus is on bridging the gap between research and practice. Carl was a secondary English teacher for 18 years in a range of different contexts and completed his PhD in education at King’s College London. He is the co-author of How Learning Happens, How Teaching Happens, and What Does this Look Like in the Classroom. Follow Carl on Twitter @C_Hendrick
Tom Sherrington has worked in schools as a teacher and leader for 30 years and is now a consultant specialising in teacher development and curriculum & assessment planning. He regularly contributes to conferences and CPD sessions locally and nationally and is busy working in schools and colleges across the UK and around the world. Follow Tom on Twitter @teacherhead
Emma Turner joined Discovery Schools Academy Trust as the Research and CPD lead after 20 years in primary teaching. She founded ‘NewEd – Joyful CPD for early-career teachers,’ a not-for-profit approach to CPD to encourage positivity amongst the profession and help retain teachers in post. Follow Emma on Twitter @emma_turner75.