What is evidence based practice? With special guest Alex Quigley
Mar 21, 2025
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Join Alex Quigley, an expert in evidence-based education and former teacher at the Education Endowment Foundation, as he unpacks the vital shift toward evidence-based strategies in classrooms. He discusses the rolling evolution of lesson observations from simple grading to complex evaluations. The conversation also critiques the idea that one-size-fits-all teaching methods work everywhere, emphasizing tailored approaches and the critical need for early interventions. Delightful anecdotes and insights into literacy challenges make this a must-listen for educators!
Evidence-based practice in education necessitates integrating research insights with educators' expertise while balancing time and resource limitations.
Carousel Learning exemplifies innovative approaches to enhance memory retention and retrieval, emphasizing active engagement over passive learning strategies.
The evolution of lesson observations is shifting towards evidence-informed practices, focusing on constructive feedback rather than subjective grading of teaching performance.
Deep dives
Introduction to Carousel Learning
Carousel Learning is an innovative online platform designed to enhance students' memory retention and facilitate effective retrieval practice over time. It aims to assist educators in strategically planning learning pathways that help reinforce student knowledge. The platform's approach emphasizes the importance of actively engaging with material rather than passive consumption. Carousel is actively involved in educational conferences such as CogSciSci, highlighting its commitment to promoting cognitive science in education.
The Role of Evidence-Based Practice
Evidence-based practice in education involves teachers and school leaders reflecting on their methods while integrating various research sources with their expertise. Many educators often lack the time and resources to engage deeply with niche research, which can hinder their ability to apply evidence effectively. However, organizations like the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) are working to synthesize and present educational evidence in accessible formats. This shift emphasizes the increasing integration of research evidence into standard teaching practices and professional development.
Improvement in Lesson Observations
The conversation around lesson observations has shifted significantly, moving away from grading teachers based on subjective observations to focusing on evidence-informed practices. Current insights suggest that the previous practice of grading lessons led to inconsistent evaluations and misunderstandings of effective teaching. There’s now a greater emphasis on understanding what constitutes effective practice, but confusion still remains regarding how to conduct meaningful observations. Improved methodologies involve using structured frameworks to guide teaching observations and professional reflection.
Challenges of Implementation in Education
Implementation of research and new teaching methodologies can be complex due to systemic inertia and varying levels of readiness among educators. Simply introducing new practices without proper training or support often leads to confusion and ineffective application. Many school leaders struggle to strike a balance between innovative practices and enduring traditional methods. An effective change process requires thoughtful integration and communication to ensure that practices are actually beneficial and lead to real improvement in teaching.
Focusing on Early Years Education
Addressing issues in early years education is critical for long-term academic success, as foundational literacy skills significantly affect future learning outcomes. There’s a pressing need to provide support for early communication and reading, especially in light of the widening gaps exacerbated by the pandemic. Targeted interventions in early years can create significant improvements, particularly for disadvantaged students. Investing in early education is essential to mitigate future educational challenges and promote equity within the schooling system.
In this episode, Alan and Amy are joined by one of the biggest names in evidence based education: Alex Quigley. Tune in for discussions about how teaching has improved in light of the evidence, and where we still have to grow.
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