If you’re anything like me…..
….E V E R Y T H I N G takes way longer than you think it will.
With regard to the SAT (or I should say, with regard to learning anything, and Read More →
Progress Report
Have My Opinions and Ideas on this Project Changed?
Taking a crack at another BIG question today:
Q. Have my opinions and ideas on this project changed?
A. Yes
The longer answer depends on what day — or even what time of day — I’m asked that question. I’m Read More →
How We Learn
Practice Does NOT Make Perfect
Or, more precisely, practice makes perfect, but only BRIEFLY.
Sustained practice, and then you’re in the ballpark of practice makes the kind of perfect I was hoping for.
I was going over my May 2011 SAT the other Read More →
How We Learn
Can Critical Thinking Be Taught?
A primary goal of learning in school is to be able to think critically (right?).
Cognitive Psychologist Daniel Willingham describes critical thinking as:
…seeing both sides of an issue, being open to new evidence that disconfirms your ideas, reasoning dispassionately,
How We Learn
How to Increase Students’ Self-Control
In addition to emotional support, studies show that cognitive support from parents is also important. As you might expect, one source of cognitive support is intellectual stimulation from parents (e.g., posing questions to the child, using complex sentence structures) and
Reading
The Effectiveness of Reading Comprehension Strategies
I read Daniel Willingham’s article about reading comprehension strategies, and was struck by his assertion that reading comprehension strategies may help, but they do not build skill:
Based on my reading of the research and my knowledge of cognitive science,
How We Learn
The Pleasure of Problem Solving
I’m reading Daniel Willingham’s Why Don’t Students Like School?, and two things have jumped out at me:
1) The reason I love doing SAT work is because it’s like a puzzle. According to Willingham, solving problems brings pleasure: Read More →
Math
Is it Possible That Some People Can’t Do Math?
According to cognitive psychologist Daniel Willingham, no.
“While it is true that some people are better at math than others — just like some are better than others at writing or building cabinets or anything else — it is also
How We Learn
Learn to Mastery, Then Add 20% More Study Time
A few weeks ago, my friend Catherine said, “Debbie, it’s time for you to read Daniel Willingham.”
Willingham is a professor of cognitive psychology at the University of Virginia. His website is a treasure trove of useful Read More →
How We Learn
The Benign Cousin to Rote Knowledge
The more I read Daniel Willingham, the more I understand why the SAT is so difficult for me. I am lacking the foundation knowledge that I need to problem solve on these tests.
From Willingham’s article on Read More →
