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

by John T. Almarode, Douglas Fisher, Nancy Frey

In the best science classrooms, teachers see learning through the eyes of their students, and students view themselves as explorers. But with so many instructional approaches to choose from—inquiry, laboratory, project-based learning, discovery learning—which is most effective for student success?   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 over fifteen years of John Hattie’s cornerstone educational research, this framework for maximum learning spans the range of topics in the life and physical sciences. Employing classroom examples from all grade levels, the authors empower teachers to plan, develop, and implement high-impact instruction for each phase of the learning    Surface  when, through precise approaches, students explore science concepts and skills that give way to a deeper exploration of scientific inquiry.   Deep  when students engage with data and evidence to uncover relationships between concepts—students think metacognitively, and use knowledge to plan, investigate, and articulate generalizations about scientific connections.   Transfer  when students apply knowledge of scientific principles, processes, and relationships to novel contexts, and are able to discern and innovate to solve complex problems. Visible Learning for Science opens the door to maximum-impact science teaching, so that students demonstrate more than a year’s worth of learning for a year spent in school.

Genres: Education

213 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 15, 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).

[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 · 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.