Episode 23: The legendary Paul Kirschner is in the house!
May 24, 2024
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Cognitive scientist Paul Kirschner discusses the foundations of cognitive science, the importance of evidence-based teaching practices, navigating misconceptions in education, and debunking learning myths. The podcast explores the challenges of teaching and learning, highlighting the need for accurate understanding and effective instructional methods.
Foundational principles from cognitive science are crucial for understanding intelligent behavior.
Motivation plays a significant role in learning success and continued engagement.
Introducing challenging tasks enhances critical thinking and prolonged retention of knowledge.
Deep dives
Understanding Cognitive Science and Its Importance in Teaching
Cognitive science focuses on how we process information to turn it into knowledge. It involves studying the mind, brain processes, thinking, learning, memory, and perception. This interdisciplinary field incorporates psychology, neuroscience, linguistics, artificial intelligence, and education to comprehend intelligent behavior and its facilitating factors.
Motivation and Learning Success Relationship
Motivation is essential to initiate learning, but the causal link of motivation leading to learning is not strong. Research indicates that learning success boosts motivation to continue learning. The teacher's role in motivating students for tasks they may not be intrinsically interested in is crucial. Teaching methods that lead to student success and self-efficacy drive sustained motivation to learn.
Desirable Difficulties in Learning
Introducing challenging learning tasks promotes deeper thinking and engagement. Teaching methods that create desirable difficulties, like varying practice sequences instead of repetitive drills, enhance understanding and differentiation between similar concepts. Making learning mentally challenging but meaningful fosters critical thinking and prolonged retention of knowledge.
Implementing Evidence-Informed Teaching Practices
Teachers often face challenges in translating theoretical concepts like cognitive load theory into practical pedagogical approaches. Encouraging structured group discussions on research-based teaching strategies can facilitate effective implementation in the classroom. Incorporating feedback mechanisms that include corrective, directive, and epistemic components supports continuous professional development for educators.
Challenges in Disseminating Research-Based Practices in Education
The struggle lies in dispelling persistent myths and misconceptions in teaching and learning paradigms. Efforts to enlighten educators on evidence-based strategies can be met with resistance or misinterpretation. Enhancing teacher understanding and adoption of scientifically proven instructional techniques remains a critical area for improvement in the field of education.
In this interview, Adam and Amy get to talk to one of their educational heroes: cognitive scientist Paul Kirschner. Join them as they discuss foundational principles from cognitive science, the difference between being evidence based and evidence informed, and the prevalence of educational myths.
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