S02E21 - Dr. Nathaniel Swain On Prioritising What Matters: A Deep Dive into the Science of Learning
Nov 16, 2024
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Dr. Nathaniel Swain, author of 'Harnessing the Science of Learning', returns to discuss how to prioritize effective teaching in schools. He advocates for reclaiming instructional time lost to distractions and emphasizes a knowledge-rich curriculum essential for literacy and numeracy. The conversation delves into making learning engaging and fun while maintaining structure. Swain also highlights challenges in implementing change and shares insights on effective math and literacy instruction, urging educators to balance explicit teaching with student engagement.
Prioritizing effective teaching and learning as a core focus is essential for fostering student success in schools.
Applying the science of learning in classrooms requires educators to utilize practical methods that enhance student engagement and outcomes.
Teachers must possess a deep understanding of language complexities, particularly phonics, to effectively instruct their students on language skills.
Employing a structured implementation process helps schools transition to new practices without overwhelming educators, ensuring effective and manageable change.
Deep dives
Prioritizing Effective Teaching and Learning
Schools must prioritize effective teaching and learning as their core focus to foster student success. This involves reclaiming instructional time that is often lost to distractions and ensuring that teaching practices align with proven educational research. By making teaching and learning the primary objective, schools can create an environment that allows both educators and students to thrive. The emphasis is on moving beyond conventional practices to truly effective and sustainable educational methods.
The Science of Learning and Its Implementation
The podcast discusses the importance of applying the science of learning in classrooms, addressing its potential image problems in the eyes of educators. Effective implementation of this science requires educators to understand practical methods and how they translate into daily classroom practice. By presenting evidence-based examples and strategies, teachers can bridge the gap between theory and practice, thus enhancing student engagement and learning outcomes. This practical application is crucial for overcoming skepticism surrounding explicit instruction.
Understanding Language and Its Complexity
A deep understanding of language and its complexities is essential for teachers, particularly regarding phonics and linguistics. By mastering the fundamental rules of language, teachers can effectively address student misconceptions during instruction. The podcast emphasizes the importance of giving educators a strong linguistic foundation to facilitate teaching and learning language skills effectively. Teachers who are well-versed in these intricacies can provide clearer, more structured guidance to their students.
Maximizing Instructional Time
To maximize instructional time, schools must critically evaluate their activities and determine what truly benefits student learning. Many institutions have fallen into the trap of prioritizing engaging but unproductive activities at the expense of core instruction time. This assessment involves not only reconsidering existing practices but also recognizing the potential drawbacks of certain learning environments that may introduce distractions. Schools need frameworks that ensure effective use of every minute to cultivate a truly learning-focused atmosphere.
Structured Implementation Processes
The structured implementation process is vital for fostering successful change within educational institutions. Utilizing models like the 4E framework—exploring, experimenting, expanding, and embedding—can help schools transition effectively to new practices. This model encourages schools to take deliberate steps, rather than overwhelming educators with simultaneous changes, allowing for thoughtful implementation and adjustments as needed. Schools benefit from a systematic approach that incorporates evidence-based practices at a manageable pace.
The Importance of De-Implementation
De-implementation is just as critical as introducing new practices within schools, providing necessary space for effective changes to take root. Schools must actively identify and phase out outdated practices to prevent dilution of new instructional methods. Systematic de-implementation helps create a cohesive teaching environment where best practices can flourish and ultimately lead to improved student outcomes. Clear communication about the transition from old to new methods is integral to maintaining staff morale and organizational unity.
Balancing Instructional Approaches
Effective teaching requires a careful balance between explicit instruction and more student-led, inquiry-based learning. This balance can be conceptualized through Tom Sherrington's idea of 80% mode A, which emphasizes direct teaching, and 20% mode B, where students take the lead in their learning. Achieving this equilibrium allows teachers to provide foundational knowledge while also fostering critical thinking and creativity among students. Striking the right balance prepares students for both mastering content and engaging in deeper learning opportunities.
In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Dr. Nathaniel Swain. He returns for the third time and this time it’s to unpack his new book Harnessing the Science of Learning. However, as you will hear, they actually go beyond the book and dig into some of the critical considerations that schools and teachers need to be making. They explore how to make teaching and learning the top priority in your school, reclaiming valuable instructional time often lost to distractions. They also unpack the essential elements of effective literacy and numeracy instruction, going beyond the surface level to understand the importance of a knowledge-rich curriculum, explicit teaching techniques, and structured implementation processes.
They look at why teaching should be “Fun in the service of learning, not in spite of Learning” and some of the common barriers that school leaders face when initiating change.
