In this episode, Dr. Greg Ashman, an Australian teacher, writer, and researcher, discusses cognitive load theory and its implications for effective teaching. He debunks claims about timed tests causing math anxiety and highlights the importance of rigorous research in education. The podcast also explores explicit instruction in math classrooms and provides practical advice for new teachers.
Read more
AI Summary
Highlights
AI Chapters
Episode notes
auto_awesome
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
Cognitive load theory emphasizes leveraging long-term memory and minimizing overload for effective teaching.
Education systems often adopt new trends without thorough evaluation, leading to constant change and abandonment of previous initiatives.
Critical evaluation of education gurus and demand for empirical evidence is essential to ensure effective teaching practices.
Deep dives
Cognitive load theory: understanding how we learn
Cognitive load theory explains the distinction between biologically primary and secondary knowledge. It highlights the limited capacity of working memory and emphasizes the importance of leveraging long-term memory. The theory suggests that effective teaching methods should minimize cognitive load by avoiding overload and providing appropriate scaffolding. It also encourages the use of explicit instruction and careful sequencing of learning tasks. Cognitive load theory provides valuable insights for educators to design instruction that optimizes learning.
The challenge of implementing educational research
Educational research often faces challenges in adoption and sustainability within schools. Education systems tend to adopt new trends, but their implementation often lacks thorough evaluation or long-term commitment. This may result in a cycle of constant change and eventual abandonment of previous initiatives. The lack of robust evaluation systems and the pressure for educators to introduce new initiatives for career advancement can contribute to this trend.
The influence of education gurus
Education gurus often gain popularity and celebrity-like status among teachers, creating a rock star culture around them. This phenomenon can be attributed to their charisma and revolutionary messages. However, it is essential to critically evaluate the methods promoted by these gurus and demand empirical evidence to support their claims. The burden of proof lies with those promoting these approaches to demonstrate their effectiveness in improving student learning.
The importance of effective teaching methods
Effective teaching methods, such as explicit instruction and scaffolding, have a direct impact on student learning and achievement. It is crucial for teachers to prioritize evidence-based practices and focus on building students' understanding and competence in the subject matter. Motivation alone is not sufficient if students are not equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge. Teachers should strive to create a learning environment that fosters engagement, growth, and success.
Advice for new teachers
New teachers should approach their profession with skepticism and a critical mindset. They should question educational trends and claims, always seeking evidence-based practices. Collaborating with experienced teachers can provide valuable insights and guidance. New teachers should not feel guilty for using proven and effective teaching methods. Prioritizing student learning and creating a solid foundation of knowledge and skills should be the focus.
In this episode, math professor Anna Stokke sits down with Dr. Greg Ashman, an Australian teacher, writer and researcher with a wealth of knowledge on cognitive load theory. Dr. Ashman shares his journey into education writing and research, including some of the challenges he has faced along the way. He shares some pitfalls of education research studies and discusses what happened when he tried to track down the references for a claim that timed tests cause math anxiety. The conversation also includes a discussion on cognitive load theory and its implications for effective teaching. Dr. Ashman explains what good explicit instruction looks like in a math classroom and provides practical advice for new teachers.
This episode is a must-listen for teachers, parents and anyone with an interest in education.