

Why Is Deeper Learning Essential in an Age of Distraction? | Tony Wagner and Ulrik Christensen
7 snips Oct 17, 2025
Tony Wagner is an education author focusing on deeper learning and student agency, while Ulrik Christensen is a physician-turned-edtech leader. They discuss the significance of mastery learning in today's distraction-filled world. The duo emphasizes real-world applications, showcasing successful models from schools like Red Bridge. They advocate for fostering intrinsic motivation and highlight innovative approaches to curriculum that prioritize student agency and lifelong learning skills. Their insights are essential for educators and policymakers.
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Simulators Taught Applied Team Mastery
- Ulrik described building simulators to train medical teams to avoid human error under pressure.
- He shifted focus from rote knowledge to applied team performance and learning how to learn.
Mastery Needs Will As Much As Skill
- Mastery must pair skill with intrinsic motivation and student agency.
- Voice and choice are essential to prevent mastery from becoming drudgery.
Prioritize Entrepreneurship With Real Projects
- Name agility and entrepreneurship as priorities and redesign experiences to cultivate them.
- Provide internships, client-connected projects, and iterative sprints to build real-world value.