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Progressively Incorrect

S3E11: Kimberly Berens on Blind Spots and Behavior Science

Apr 3, 2024
Kimberly Berens, author of "Blind Spots" and founder of Fit Learning, dives into the fascinating intersection of behavior science and education. She unravels misconceptions about behavioral approaches, emphasizing their benefits for marginalized students. Berens discusses the critical role of environmental factors in developing literacy skills and redefines intrinsic motivation in learning. Additionally, she critiques traditional views of intelligence and stresses personalized instruction over strict developmental milestones, showcasing that effective teaching can unlock potential for all.
01:02:19

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Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The application of behavior science in education emphasizes the importance of explicit instruction and frequent practice for academic success.
  • Kimberly Behrens challenges traditional views on learning disabilities, advocating for better instructional strategies instead of labeling students based on assessments.

Deep dives

The Science of Learning and Instruction

The integration of behavior science into educational practices is essential for effective instruction. Kimberly Behrens emphasizes that mastering foundational skills through explicit instruction and repeated practice is crucial for academic success. She illustrates this with the example of Fit Learning, where students achieve rapid growth in skills—gaining a full year's progress in just 40 hours of teaching. This approach is grounded in the principles of behavior science, where learning is seen as the result of behaviors being reinforced over time.

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