What do you think?
Rate this book
Urban Myths about Learning and Education
Many things people commonly believe to be true about education are not supported by scientific evidence. Urban Myths about Learning and Education examines commonly held incorrect beliefs and then provides the truth of what research has shown. Each chapter examines a different myth, with sections on learning, the brain, technology, and educational policy. A final section discusses why these myths are so persistent. Written in an engaging style, the book separates fact from fiction regarding learning and education.
Recognize any of these myths?
People have different styles of learning Boys are naturally better at mathematics than girls We only use 10% of our brains The left half of the brain is analytical, the right half is creative Men have a different kind of brain from women We can learn while we are asleep Babies become smarter if they listen to classical music These myths and more are systematically debunked, with useful correct information about the topic in question.
Debunks common myths about learning and education Provides empirical research on the facts relating to the myths Utilizes light-hearted, approachable language for easy reading
Recognize any of these myths?
People have different styles of learning Boys are naturally better at mathematics than girls We only use 10% of our brains The left half of the brain is analytical, the right half is creative Men have a different kind of brain from women We can learn while we are asleep Babies become smarter if they listen to classical music These myths and more are systematically debunked, with useful correct information about the topic in question.
Debunks common myths about learning and education Provides empirical research on the facts relating to the myths Utilizes light-hearted, approachable language for easy reading
206 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 6, 2015
33 people are currently reading
398 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
March 30, 2023
it’s all short bits but even in the couple pages they spend talking about the topics, it’s really insightful. this is for sure a book all future educators should read!
June 30, 2019
This should be compulsory reading for all educators.
In short bite sized no nonsense language, this debunks many of the prevalent myths asking for hard evidence fact based assessment.
Utterly brilliant.
In short bite sized no nonsense language, this debunks many of the prevalent myths asking for hard evidence fact based assessment.
Utterly brilliant.
March 21, 2017
An extremely accessible summary of lots of results (or rather, non-results) that everybody who works in education in any capacity ought to know. Very well structured and full of pointers to further reading.
November 4, 2022
Data and research should be the staple of education.It kills me when I see the state of education and how little teachers actually know…
October 18, 2019
I appreciate the work the authors of Urban Myths about Learning and Education are trying to accomplish. Myths regarding education have the potential to have a long-lasting negative impact on both students and society as a whole. Some of the myths discussed, like the idea that boys are better at math than girls, have the potential to be self-fulfilling, and the authors do a good job of making the dangers of these kinds of myths clear. Overall, however, I found that the book was crippled by what I would consider to be bad craft. The authors are consistently unable to effectively argue against the myths they are attempting to debunk.
The authors are often too reliant on their research to do all of the work for their arguments. The book is clearly well researched, with each myth having a dedicated source citation page accompanying the explanation. The problem is that the text debunking the arguments often becomes an extended summation of the research, and it's just not persuasive. The authors stated in their introduction that the book was intended for "everyone involved in and concerned about education," but they don't seem to know how to tailor their writing for a general audience.
I would say that the writing would be fine if the authors were writing for a strictly academic audience, but Urban Myths has other issues that keep me from saying that. It is frequently unclear what the authors are trying to debunk. The myth in question is the title of each section, but the text rarely elaborates on what that myth is. The section debunking the myth "We think most clearly when we are under pressure," is particularly bad. I would interpret that myth to be about an idea that a lot of students have, that they can procrastinate on their homework because they will flourish under the last minute pressures, the pressure-makes-diamonds philosophy of being a student. Instead, the author talks about how action movie heroes are able to win under pressure and argues about the long-term negative effects of too much stress. The ideas are related, but the argument that the author is making is entirely unpersuasive, being more geared against the idea that constant stress for students is good. Who the author is arguing against and why they felt the need to make the argument is left unclear.
The vagueness of the myths leads to a situation where the book seems to contradict itself. Another myth titled "The internet makes us dumber," concludes that the debate is still ongoing, though there is no evidence supporting the claim. One chapter later, the authors highlight an article that suggests that people are less willing to put in the work to read complex prose as a result of scanning and skimming the internet. These ideas are related and kind of contradict each other. Admitted, the authors specify that they have not yet evaluated the research behind the article, but it is a clearly related idea that may have been worth evaluating for the previous section. My assumption at this point is that the authors have a specific meaning in mind they use the word "dumber," but I don't know what it is, and that suggests a problem in the book's presentation of its arguments.
Urban Myths is at its best when it is discussing ongoing debates in the field of learning and education, when it doesn't feel the need to take a specific stance and can pit the opposing arguments against each other. The problem is that these sections are rare and the intended purpose of the book is to persuade us against myths about education and learning, something that it simply doesn't do well.
The authors are often too reliant on their research to do all of the work for their arguments. The book is clearly well researched, with each myth having a dedicated source citation page accompanying the explanation. The problem is that the text debunking the arguments often becomes an extended summation of the research, and it's just not persuasive. The authors stated in their introduction that the book was intended for "everyone involved in and concerned about education," but they don't seem to know how to tailor their writing for a general audience.
I would say that the writing would be fine if the authors were writing for a strictly academic audience, but Urban Myths has other issues that keep me from saying that. It is frequently unclear what the authors are trying to debunk. The myth in question is the title of each section, but the text rarely elaborates on what that myth is. The section debunking the myth "We think most clearly when we are under pressure," is particularly bad. I would interpret that myth to be about an idea that a lot of students have, that they can procrastinate on their homework because they will flourish under the last minute pressures, the pressure-makes-diamonds philosophy of being a student. Instead, the author talks about how action movie heroes are able to win under pressure and argues about the long-term negative effects of too much stress. The ideas are related, but the argument that the author is making is entirely unpersuasive, being more geared against the idea that constant stress for students is good. Who the author is arguing against and why they felt the need to make the argument is left unclear.
The vagueness of the myths leads to a situation where the book seems to contradict itself. Another myth titled "The internet makes us dumber," concludes that the debate is still ongoing, though there is no evidence supporting the claim. One chapter later, the authors highlight an article that suggests that people are less willing to put in the work to read complex prose as a result of scanning and skimming the internet. These ideas are related and kind of contradict each other. Admitted, the authors specify that they have not yet evaluated the research behind the article, but it is a clearly related idea that may have been worth evaluating for the previous section. My assumption at this point is that the authors have a specific meaning in mind they use the word "dumber," but I don't know what it is, and that suggests a problem in the book's presentation of its arguments.
Urban Myths is at its best when it is discussing ongoing debates in the field of learning and education, when it doesn't feel the need to take a specific stance and can pit the opposing arguments against each other. The problem is that these sections are rare and the intended purpose of the book is to persuade us against myths about education and learning, something that it simply doesn't do well.
December 17, 2018
Extremely useful to me, as a teacher. I confess to having fed some of the myths to people. Will be more careful...thanks.
Two things... 1. it applies strictly-science approach in places where it is not conceivably possible to measure or explain the issue by science, as I believe there are such areas in the practice of education. I know that that is the whole point of the book, but sometimes I felt it is just too tight. Second: If a myth clearly works in my classroom as placebo, then why not use it. In other words> education will always be full of myths, because it is more story telling than science.
Two things... 1. it applies strictly-science approach in places where it is not conceivably possible to measure or explain the issue by science, as I believe there are such areas in the practice of education. I know that that is the whole point of the book, but sometimes I felt it is just too tight. Second: If a myth clearly works in my classroom as placebo, then why not use it. In other words> education will always be full of myths, because it is more story telling than science.
April 15, 2016
More like 4.5 stars, with the half-star subtracted because I was already familiar with most of the myths named in here.
That said, its clever format, convenient organization, and thorough referencing (by specific myth--handy!) will henceforth see it filed in my 'always-within-reach' stack. In all, a vital book for educators and education decision-makers.
That said, its clever format, convenient organization, and thorough referencing (by specific myth--handy!) will henceforth see it filed in my 'always-within-reach' stack. In all, a vital book for educators and education decision-makers.
August 3, 2022
This is a book for everyone, not just educators. Challenging and insightful, the book dispels a number of pervasive myths. At least some of these I expect most people were taught at some point or believe. The author's knowledgeable analysis draws out the required nuance to understand oftentimes over simplified questions related to learning.
Want to read
September 2, 2017"It is our prior knowledge and experience that determines how we see the world"
December 17, 2024
Largely disappointing. Featured a lot more editorializing than I expected (as opposed to a strict summary of the research), and did not convince me that the authors were experts so much as enthusiastic literature readers. The section on educational myths was interesting, the section on cognitive myths acceptable, and the remaining sections barely worth reading.
September 19, 2023
Popular urban legends that all teachers have encountered before tend not to be true, here are some explanations why.
I saw Paul Kirschner speak at a conference this year and he is an impressive speaker.
I saw Paul Kirschner speak at a conference this year and he is an impressive speaker.
November 22, 2017
Informative look at educational trends and the fact that charisma less than research often influences the public.
June 3, 2019
Very clearly written and does not contain any complicated jargon. Each section is concisely written and seems to be for busy teachers who want to read between teaching periods.
Want to read
July 30, 2020recommended by a Lilead fellow; she uses it in her grad classes
March 28, 2023
A very detailed and interesting set of educational myths that all teachers should read.
I definitely had a few perspectives modified or enhanced based on this text.
I definitely had a few perspectives modified or enhanced based on this text.
October 16, 2023
Good summary, informative, of course naturally a little outdated in places, but great revision of things already known.
November 13, 2020
I totally enjoyed reading this book. I struggled so much during college, and beside prolonged studying and true desire to learn, my grades always weren't from the nicest. By reading this book, I gained more insights and learned a lot of useful things - all of which is based on evidence. I think everyone should read it, because you always are going to be associated with learning, whether it be yourself, your siblings, kids, etc. Easily 5/5.
October 19, 2019
Hade hoppats på ännu fler myter som kommunpolitiker och skolledare håller levande.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews