I wrote an article that touched on some of the themes in this piece – how not knowing what we don't know is destroying us. Not just individuals, but for us as a society. There are very people who are willing to admit that they need better thinking skills. Think about it – everyone … Continue reading
The Benefits of Metacognition
This article is very different from the articles that I usually write. Normally, I don't put references in my articles because I use them as seed ideas for my students to build from in my classes. However, this article has a different purpose. I am getting ready to publish an app for measuring and developing … Continue reading
Knowing What You Know & Knowing What You Don’t Know
This insight is the foundation of metacognition. "Knowing what you know" and "knowing what you don't know" is based on something called the "feeling of knowing". When you know (or think that you know) that you know something, there is a feeling of certainty. Studies into the feeling of knowing have found that individuals consistently … Continue reading
Why Can’t I just Teach Critical Thinking?
The core abstract cognitive enabler that most academics and businesses professionals bemoan the lack of is critical thinking. So why can’t we just teach students critical thinking? Teaching students to think critically and critical thinking are not the same thing. Although thinking critically is a necessary part of critical thinking, students can learn to think … Continue reading
Future of Work/Learning and Transferability
Transferability is a problem in every area of learning. One of the primary goals of any training or education is transferability. To paraphrase Bjork, we have is the need to produce and have available a mental representation of the knowledge or skill that allows for flexible access to that information in different settings. The problem … Continue reading
The Future of Learning and the Traditions of Teaching
Given that the future of work is quite uncertain for most workers, the idea of continuous learning to remain relevant in the workforce is widely accepted by those who study the area. With experts split between a utopian and dystopian outlook, we have to wonder what it will look like for the average worker – … Continue reading
Human Learning and Memory
Remembering information is an important part of education. Not as important as education would lead us to believe, but it is still important. With the development of technology, memorization has declined in importance. However, education has not changed in any way to accommodate these developments and memorization is becoming more and more a central part … Continue reading
Real Life Inductive Reasoning
I have written numerous articles about abstract cognitive enablers. I have highlighted the demand by organizations for abstract cognitive enablers. I have written about the future of learning and the future of learning and how cognitive enablers are the skills that will lead to prosperity. I have written about how abstract cognitive enablers set us … Continue reading
Evidence in Learning and Education
How people learn is a central aspect of education. Since learning figures so prominently in the entire field of education, it would make sense to review what we know about learning in light of what science tells us about the process. From behavioural studies to neuroimaging, we have learned a great deal about the process. … Continue reading
College Admittance Scandal, Institutions, and Students
The recent scandal of parents buying their children’s way into prestigious institutions is appalling, but not surprising to many of us who study the area. The Harvard grade scandal, or pragmatic reality, of a decade ago pulled the curtain back for those who actually looked at it. I believe that several things are lacking in … Continue reading