The Science of Learning: 99 Studies That Every Teacher Needs to Know

by Edward Watson, Bradley Busch

Supporting teachers in the quest to help students learn as effectively and efficiently as possible, The Science of Learning translates 99 of the most important and influential studies on the topic of learning into accessible and easily digestible overviews. Building on the bestselling original book, this second edition delves deeper into the world of research into what helps students learn, with 22 new studies covering key issues including cognitive-load theory, well-being and performing well under exam pressure. Demystifying key concepts and translating research into practical advice for the classroom, this unique resource will increase teachers’ understanding of crucial psychological research so they can help students improve how they think, feel and behave in school. From large- to small-scale studies, from the quirky to the iconic, the book breaks down complicated research to provide teachers with the need-to-know facts and implications of each study. Each overview combines graphics and text, asks key questions, describes related research and considers implications for practice. Highly accessible, each overview is attributed to one of seven key A hugely accessible resource, this unique book will support, inspire and inform teaching staff, parents and students, and those involved in leadership and CPD.

Genres: Nonfiction, Education

250 pages, Paperback

Published April 29, 2021

Reviews

[Wing · Rating 5 out of 5]

Education, as a discipline, can and should be evidence-based. This concise collection of studies is not only essential reading for teachers but should also be digested by parents and students alike. Indeed, education begins at home. Among many valuable insights, the most salient one is the paramount importance of a growth mindset rather than a fixed one. All other findings serve as footnotes, yet these too hold value: for instance, metacognition, spacing tailored to the Ebbinghaus curve, the effectiveness of retrieval practice, and many more. Ultimately, to educate is to educe, and good teachers and parents contribute to the fostering of resilient and noble minds. Five stars for both its format and content.

[Beth Hawks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first heard about this book on the Mr. Barton Maths podcast and just finished reading it. It is a non-intimidating way to introduce yourself to educational studies, and the citations are there if you want to read more deeply.

[Catherine MacLean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each study is simplified to the main findings, but then importantly linked to practical implications. I can see myself referring back to it again and again, but importantly also directing students towards many of the studies.

[Julia Atwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! Each study is succinctly described and the results are easy to understand. Every teacher should read this book to help improve their students learning as well as their teaching. It’s also a great read for parents too!

[Emi Dabell · Rating 5 out of 5]

took me a while to finish bc it’s been a crazy week but one of the best non fiction books I’ve read in a while!
the studies and how to apply them were set out in a really engaging and useful way and it was super interesting

[Aaron Wong]

Watson, E., & Busch, B. (2021). The science of learning: 99 studies that every teacher needs to know (2nd ed.). Abingdon, UK: Routledge.

7 topics:
1. Memory
2. Mindset, motivation, resilience
3. Self-regulation & metacognition
4. Student behaviours
5. Teacher attitudes, expectations, and behaviours
6. Parents
7. Thinking biases
- p. 3

#1 Memory (Salleh): Main Findings of Study #1 resonates with Salleh's teaching and learning style
Practice makes perfect.
Rewriting from memory
Highlighting may not help unless it is categorised.
- p. 6-7

#17 (Aaron): When revising, no music is 60% better; it's worse with lyrics (even if you like them as it improves your mood), as it takes up processing space. - p. 38-39

#28 Asking Why: elaborative interrogation (Jasmine Chan)
- Students who were asked to think about their own explanation to a given fact remembered twice as much (71%) as those who heard a teacher's explanation instead (35%), or received no explanation (37%).
- This is because the brain is actively processing the information provided.
- However, this strategy works better if students have enough prior knowledge to form their explanation; hence, this strategy might work better towards the end of a lesson/unit, or with HALs.
- Some examples include why plants store sugars as starch, and the reason for the formula of a circle's area.
- Another application is to have a P2P explanations instead, as more child-friendly language is used. This can be done after initial teaching of the basics. However, teachers should also check the accuracy of the students' explanations.
- Aaron gets students to think about reasoning behind school decisions e.g. PaBL, no recess play when there's lightning
- Currently, some students think too superficially, and need to do so more critically.

Study #36: Academic Streaming (Dexter)
+: Efficiency and Focus, Increased confidence, Resource Optimisation
-: Labelling effect (self-fulfilling prophecy), Lowering of standards, Homogeneity
Aware of students’ prior knowledge
-teach according to needs
-Streaming reinforces hierarchy
Put right teacher
Data collection
Math & Science-streaming -better
National grouping necessary
Streaming has improved

#41 Dual-Coding: Pictures & Words (Dev)
• 50% better than words, pictures, or words then pictures, unless tested in verbal recall
• combines visual & verbal areas of the brain
• Maths: models, area & perimeter, angles, graphs
• revision & examination skills: drawing own diagrams?
• English: story mountain approach
- p. 86-87

Jiahui #82: drawing for learning using CuriPod; voting on quality of diagrams

Self-regulated learning #88 (Jiahui)
• popular revision strats: rereading (75%), flashcards (40%), self-testing (46%)
• spaced repetition v cramming
• 61% are motivated by deadlines rather than weaknesses
• growth mindset = intrinsic motivation
- p. 180-181

Summarised tips - p. 205-213

Application factsheets - p. 213-222