Unexpected Path to Education

Professor Dan Willingham's journey into the field of education began unexpectedly after a conversation with cognitive psychologist ED Hirsch, who was interested in the implications of cognitive psychology for teaching. Initially focused on basic memory research, Willingham realized educators were eager for insights from cognitive science, prompting him to give a presentation to a large audience of teachers. This experience surprised him, as he discovered that teachers found his insights valuable and were largely unaware of many cognitive principles. This pivotal moment led Willingham to gradually pivot his career towards applying cognitive psychology to educational practices and insights.