Brian's Blog

  Over the last few weeks, I have been intrigued by the concept of optimising learning by limited cognitive overload. While this concept is not new, it was a great opportunity to reread some of the evidence base and look for areas of my own practice that could be honed.  Educators play a crucial role in shaping the learning experiences of their students. One key aspect of effective teaching is understanding the concept of cognitive load and its impact on learning. Cognitive load theory (CLT) provides a framework for educators to design instruction that minimises mental distraction and maximises student learning. In this post, I will explore the different types of cognitive load, the phenomenon of cognitive overload, and practical strategies for optimising learning in the classroom. As educators, our goal is to facilitate learning and help students reach what they can achieve. To attain this, we must understand how the human mind processes information. We realise the human bra...

Exploring and crafting a rich and engaging curriculum is more than ticking off boxes and working through guidelines; it is a dedicated effort to comprehend the intricacies of what our students need to know, understand, and do along with how they learn and how best to facilitate this. By immersing ourselves in the curriculum, we are better equipped to guide our students through a well-structured educational experience, ensuring they meet academic expectations and develop the essential skills and critical knowledge necessary for their future pursuits (Boyle, 2008) . As this post is being written, those who follow the Christian calendar are in the middle of Lent leading into a time of remembrance and celebration over Easter. Lent calls us to navigate the delicate balance between self-discipline and self-care, encouraging us to seek harmony between sacrifice and sustenance, between growth and personal wellbeing (Murray, 2015) . As we explore the multifaceted challenges of nurturing success...

In our role as educators, we constantly strive to equip students with the skills they need to excel not only academically but also in all facets of life. One such crucial skill is critical thinking, which enables individuals to analyse information, evaluate arguments, and make informed decisions. This skill is fundamental for success in today's complex and rapidly changing world (Facione, 2011). The purpose of this blog post is to demonstrate the significance of critical thinking and the transformative influence of visible thinking routines in nurturing this vital skill. The post aims to advocate for a shift in practices towards a more student-centred approach, enhancing student learning and promoting lifelong learning. This approach encourages students to become curious, reflective, and independent thinkers (Brookhart, 2017). Early in my teaching career, I was introduced to the work of Ron Ritchhart, Mark Church, and Karin Morrison (2011) through Harvard University's Project Z...