Visible Learning for Science, Grades K-12: What Works Best to Optimize Student Learning

by John T. Almarode, Douglas Fisher, Nancy Frey

Inquiry, laboratory, project-based learning, discovery learning―which science instructional approach is most effective? In Visible Learning for Science , the authors reveal that it’s not which strategy, but when, and plot a vital K-12 framework for choosing the right approach at the right time, depending on where students are within the three phases of surface, deep, and transfer. Synthesizing state-of-the-art science instruction and assessment with John Hattie’s cornerstone educational research, this book empowers you to plan, develop, and implement high-impact instruction at each phase so all students demonstrate more than a year’s worth of learning for every year in school.

Genres: Education

216 pages, Paperback

Published March 23, 2018

Reviews

[Ro · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very cerebral book, heavy on research and data and light on practical application. The author is very passionate about his research. This is not a light or easy read and you won’t come away with easy tricks you can use right away in your classroom.

[Rebecca Epting · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great series about visible learning. The books exist for each content area, and this one was excellent. I’ve been learning a lot lately about how the brain learns, and this book gives concrete tools to utilize in the classroom, all based on research. I highly recommend this book (or series if you don’t teach science).

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think he oversimplifies the power of the statistics (this has been questioned by the educational community) but there is value in this book.

The idea of surface learning vs deep learning vs transfer leaning gave me a way to frame my thoughts about our new science curriculum. It gave me language to use to start conversation with other teachers that moves away from feeling words.

[Madison W · Rating 1 out of 5]

I enjoy reading education books to learn new teaching methods, but this book was hard to get through. This book read like a research paper. If you are looking for a book with strategies or activities to take into the classroom skip this book.

[Anita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book! Well-researched with specific examples from the science classroom. Strongly recommend to any science teacher and any person who works with curriculum.

[Michele Dale · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a bad book but it is focused more on lower-level basics. The emphasis is on the research of Hattie on which skills are more effective at what levels of learning.

[Robert Schretzman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful way to see and understand how some students learn.

[Kendra McIntyre · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't read a whole lot of professional texts, but decided to do a book study to earn some CEUs I was needing. Interesting concept of getting students to make their learning and understanding visible to themselves and the teacher. Several good strategies to take away. I will probably look to do another book study in the future.