Harnessing the Science of Learning

Drawing together the worlds of classroom practice, school leadership and scientific research, this is an essential how-to guide for initiating and maintaining a school improvement journey based on the science of learning. What we now know about learning and teaching is vast; yet often, wading through the thousands of articles and books on this subject can leave even the most seasoned educator overwhelmed. This guide instead offers a distillation of key understandings-for teaching, literacy, mathematics, curriculum and implementation-to launch your school improvement work. Harnessing the Science of Learning also features contributions from thought leaders across the fields of learning sciences and educational practice: Pamela Snow, Tanya Serry, Zach Groshell, Reid Smith, Toni Hatten-Roberts, Simon Breakspear, Katie Roberts-Hull, David Morkunas, Steven Capp, Shane Pearson and Eamon Charles. This book illustrates practical ways to harness this knowledge, using a series of exemplary school case studies. These insightful narratives of transformation are interwoven with summaries of powerful teaching practices, forming a roadmap to drive improvement. In this volume, you will learn how even discrete changes in a school can have marked impacts. It is suitable for those already versed in such principles, as well as anyone curious to plunge into what the science of learning has to offer.

Nathaniel Swain, PhD, is a teacher, instructional coach and teacher educator. He is a Senior Lecturer in Learning Sciences at La Trobe University School of Education, Australia. Dr Swain has taught a range of learners in schools, and founded a community of teachers committed to educational excellence and equity: Think Forward Educators. His website can be found here: https://www.nathanielswain.com/

Part One: The Orientation 1. Do we need to improve our schools? 2. Why the science of learning? 3. The science of learning lifts every learner Part Two: The Foundations 4. Key insights from the science of learning: Cognitive load theory and beyond 5. How can the science of learning change my teaching? Four teaching misconceptions resolved by the science 6. What is the science of reading? What does it mean for my teaching? 7. Effective literacy teaching 8. Effective mathematics teaching 9. Coherent, knowledge rich curricula: Bypassing working memory by laying lots of Velcro® 10. The science of learning implementation piece: Pursuing sustainable school-wide change Part Three: The Takeaways 11. Kickstarting your work with the science of learning 12. Improving your school as a science of learning leader 13. A call to action... and caution