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Harnessing the Science of Learning
Studded with inspirational stories from a range of schools, Harnessing the Science of Learning should spark some fundamental and much-needed changes in instruction. Too often, teachers have been led to believe in practices that only make it harder for students to learn—and for teachers to teach. This book provides a clear, accessible guide to pedagogical approaches backed by cognitive science that can enable both teachers and students to reach their full potential.
-- Natalie Wexler Author of The Knowledge Gap and co-author of The Writing Revolution
This book brings together the compelling case for the science of learning with the realities of classrooms. Nathaniel Swain applies his experience as teacher, school leader and academic to offer an evidence-based, credible path to improvement. Combining science, real-life experience and common sense, the authors deliver a recipe for school improvement that is evidence-driven and proven to succeed. This is the book we have been waiting for.
--Dr Jenny Donovan CEO, Australian Educational Research Organisation (AERO)
Drawing together the worlds of classroom practice, school leadership and cognitive science, this is an essential how-to guide for initiating and maintaining a school improvement journey based on the science of how we learn.
What we now know about learning and teaching is vast; But even the most seasoned educator can be overwhelmed when wading through the thousands of articles and books that could improve their practice. 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, including: 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.
Providing accessible introductions to the most useful insights from the science of learning, the book shows how you could best use this often-neglected body of knowledge. With a series of exemplary school case studies, where leaders and teachers have embraced principles from the science of learning, you will encounter practical descriptions for how you can harness the research to revolutionise your teaching.
Insightful narratives of school transformation are interwoven with summaries of powerful teaching practices. Together this forms a roadmap to drive positive change wherever you work. Here you will learn how even discrete changes in a school can have marked impacts. This book is written both 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.
-- Natalie Wexler Author of The Knowledge Gap and co-author of The Writing Revolution
This book brings together the compelling case for the science of learning with the realities of classrooms. Nathaniel Swain applies his experience as teacher, school leader and academic to offer an evidence-based, credible path to improvement. Combining science, real-life experience and common sense, the authors deliver a recipe for school improvement that is evidence-driven and proven to succeed. This is the book we have been waiting for.
--Dr Jenny Donovan CEO, Australian Educational Research Organisation (AERO)
Drawing together the worlds of classroom practice, school leadership and cognitive science, this is an essential how-to guide for initiating and maintaining a school improvement journey based on the science of how we learn.
What we now know about learning and teaching is vast; But even the most seasoned educator can be overwhelmed when wading through the thousands of articles and books that could improve their practice. 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, including: 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.
Providing accessible introductions to the most useful insights from the science of learning, the book shows how you could best use this often-neglected body of knowledge. With a series of exemplary school case studies, where leaders and teachers have embraced principles from the science of learning, you will encounter practical descriptions for how you can harness the research to revolutionise your teaching.
Insightful narratives of school transformation are interwoven with summaries of powerful teaching practices. Together this forms a roadmap to drive positive change wherever you work. Here you will learn how even discrete changes in a school can have marked impacts. This book is written both 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.
232 pages, Paperback
Published October 25, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
January 27, 2025
Very important for teachers and school leadership to read. Looks at key areas where schools can improve, explaining approaches that work and are backed by cognitive science research.
February 2, 2025
Fantastic explanation of essential concepts about teaching and learning with immediate real-world applications. If every school focused their professional development on the science of learning, student outcomes would soar, and this book is the ideal succinct and up-to-date guide for the work.
July 22, 2025
Really appreciated the chapter on "four teaching misconceptions resolved by science".
I've been studying classical education & believe it fits the science explained in this book perfectly. A foundation of knowledge must first be laid (grammar stage), given through explicit instruction by an expert (mentor/teacher), before a student can move to inquiry/exploration (logic stage - rhetoric stage).
I've been studying classical education & believe it fits the science explained in this book perfectly. A foundation of knowledge must first be laid (grammar stage), given through explicit instruction by an expert (mentor/teacher), before a student can move to inquiry/exploration (logic stage - rhetoric stage).
February 21, 2025
Great book for all teachers and schools. Liked reading. The case studies as they provided pivotal information to how we can improve our schools.
March 2, 2025
Great for some ideas on reinvigorating classroom practice, excellent if you’re already doing these to explain why! 😊
August 28, 2025
Great resource! This book provided a great summary of the research surrounding the science of learning and gave examples of schools that are implementing practices.
September 17, 2025
A tightly edited book that provides both an exploration of knowledge-rich curriculum concepts and ways to apply them within schools and proof of concept applications within real schools.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews