Knowing how students learn

The Australian Educational Research Organisation (AERO) is a relatively new body, who clearly understand their subject that I’ve been following with interest. The following is a brief summary about knowing how students learn.

Knowing how students learn helps you apply teaching practices well, by understanding why some practices are more effective than others. This article focuses on techniques and strategies that improve outcomes for students.

Key points

• Learning is a change in memory.
• Working memory has a limited capacity.
• Managing the cognitive load of learning tasks is essential.
• Students develop mastery of their learning through spaced, varied and repeated practice.
• Learning happens best in safe, learning-focused environments.
• Effective planning involves identifying the knowledge students will acquire and the prerequisite skills needed.

Some students may require additional instruction, guidance or scaffolding due to language difficulties, processing abilities or for other reasons. Monitoring additional learning needs and supporting the delivery of tiered interventions (such as a multi-tiered system of supports) in your school ensures all students have access to the support they require.

Read the the full article.

Behaviour Management

For those interested in behaviour management, I had a great conversation with Teacher Talk host: Jamie Clark on mastering classroom management on his podcast. Have a listen via Youtube.

Happy coaching,
Mark