S2E26: Dan Willingham on Applying Cognitive Science to K12 Education
Apr 30, 2023
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Renowned cognitive scientist Dan Willingham discusses applying cognitive science to K12 education, exploring concepts like difference versus commonality in education, perspectives on open learning, the role of background knowledge in comprehension, and the relationship between natural learning and formal education.
Planning by time rather than task can help students overcome the planning fallacy and allocate realistic time for studying.
Background knowledge significantly impacts reading comprehension and should be included in standardized tests to promote fairness.
Explicit instruction and support in learning strategies can help students improve study habits and optimize learning.
Deep dives
The Importance of Planning and Time Management for Student Learning
One of the main insights from the podcast episode is the significance of planning and time management for successful student learning. The speaker emphasizes that students often struggle with planning their workload and tend to underestimate how long tasks will take, falling into the 'planning fallacy.' To address this, the suggestion is to plan by time rather than by task, allocating specific periods each day for studying, similar to a regular work schedule. This approach helps protect against the planning fallacy by providing a cushion of time if unexpected events occur and allows for a more realistic allocation of time for different tasks.
The Role of Background Knowledge in Reading Comprehension
The podcast discusses the crucial role of background knowledge in reading comprehension. Notably, the speaker mentions studies that demonstrate the significant impact of background knowledge on understanding texts. For example, research highlights how individuals with more knowledge and experience on a specific topic perform better in reading comprehension tasks related to that topic. The speaker argues for the inclusion of background knowledge in standardized tests and suggests that teachers should ensure their students have access to the necessary knowledge related to test content to promote fairness and equitable learning opportunities.
The Challenges of Learning Strategies
The podcast addresses the challenges students face when learning strategies and emphasizes the need for explicit instruction and support in this area. Many students tend to rely on ineffective strategies or lack awareness of beneficial strategies. The speaker suggests that students should be taught essential learning strategies, such as effective note-taking, understanding the importance of retrieval practice, and spacing out learning over time. By explicitly teaching these strategies and providing guidance, students can improve their study habits and optimize their learning.
The Natural Learning Misconception
The podcast challenges the misconception that learning should come naturally to individuals. While some aspects of learning, such as oral language acquisition, occur naturally, many school-related skills and concepts are not inherently easy to learn. The speaker emphasizes that students need explicit instruction and guidance in various areas, highlighting the importance of the learning environment and teacher support. Additionally, the episode touches on the tendency for individuals, including students, to exhibit overconfidence in their learning abilities, which can lead to suboptimal learning strategies and decision-making.
Enhancing Student Learning with the Expertise Model
The podcast introduces the concept of the expertise model as a potential approach to enhance student learning. The expertise model suggests that students can benefit from mimicking certain practices of experts in their respective fields. However, the speaker cautions against a one-size-fits-all approach and highlights the importance of matching instructional strategies with students' current skill levels and knowledge. While incorporating aspects of expert thinking can be beneficial, it is essential to consider the developmental stage and specific learning needs of each student.
I am very excited to be sharing this special episode with you, the Season 2 Finale of this podcast, featuring one of the most respected cognitive scientists in the world, Dan Willingham. Subscribe to this podcast on…SpotifyGoogle PodcastsApple PodcastsWordPress Before we go over to Dan, I wanted to thank all of you who have supported … Continue reading S2E26: Dan Willingham on Applying Cognitive Science to K12 Education
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