Powerful Teaching: Unleash the Science of Learning

From the Inside Flap

Powerful Teaching, written by a noted cognitive scientist and a veteran classroom teacher, offers evidence-based recommendations that can be implemented in less than a minute without additional prep time or grading. Decades of research demonstrate that these few powerful–yet intuitive–strategies dramatically raise student achievement.

Readers will learn how to harness four dynamic “Power Tools”

• Retrieval Practice: Boost learning by pulling information out of students’ heads, rather than focusing on getting information into students’ heads
• Spaced Practice: Boost learning by spreading lessons and retrieval opportunities out over time so learning isn’t crammed all at once
• Interleaving Boost learning by mixing up closely related topics and encouraging students to discriminate between key concepts
• Feedback-Driven Metacognition: Boost learning by providing students with the opportunity to know what they know and know what they don’t know

Powerful Teaching provides the rare opportunity to adapt the science of learning for diverse students, parents, and professional development programs. With this interactive guide, think critically about teaching from a research-based perspective and transform learning in your classroom.

From the Back Cover

PRAISE FOR POWERFUL TEACHING

“The authors have taken the science of learning and distilled it into its most powerful form―a limited number of simple but powerful ideas, with guidance on how to use them with insight and fidelity. They’ve made it easy to be smarter about how you―and your students―learn. Who doesn’t want that?”
―Doug Lemov, Author of Teach Like a Champion 2.0, Practice Perfect and Reading Reconsidered

“In recent years, educators’ understanding of how people learn has shifted in big ways, but we haven’t had a go-to manual for applying that research in the classroom. Powerful Teaching bridges the gap, showing us exactly how to put realistic strategies into practice in any subject area and any grade level. Teachers who want to see dramatic improvement in student learning must read this book!”
―Jennifer Gonzalez, Educator and Director of Cult of Pedagogy

“The authors have combined years of scientific expertise and practical experience to create a marvelous book about applying the science of learning in the classroom. Powerful Teaching is highly readable and a boon to all teachers.”
―Henry L. Roediger, III, Co-Author of Make it Stick: The Science of Successful Learning

“In Powerful Teaching, educators at every level will find a treasure trove of new techniques for the classroom. Accessible prose, practical strategies, and solid scientific support―these elements combine to make this a book that will benefit all teachers and, more importantly, their students.”
―James M. Lang, Author of Small Teaching: Everyday Lessons from the Science of Learning

“This easy-to-read book makes the phrase ‘science of learning’ real for anyone responsible for teaching students. It’s chock full of practical tips (not fads) and, mercifully, devoid of academic mumbo jumbo. Please read this!”
―Benjamin Riley, Founder of Deans for Impact

“Teachers need this book. Students need this book. Powerful Teaching should be required reading for all teachers. If this book isn’t in your school’s professional development library, you’re missing out.”
―Blake Harvard, Blogger and AP Psychology Teacher, James Clemens High School

Powerful Teaching is an indispensable resource for educators who want to take their instruction to the next level. Drawing on a fifteen-year scientist-teacher collaboration, more than 100 years of research, and illustrative examples from K–12 and higher education, the authors present step-by-step guidance on how to transform teaching with four essential strategies: retrieval practice, spacing, interleaving, and feedback-driven metacognition. Equipped with scientific knowledge and evidence-based tools, turn your teaching into powerful teaching and unleash student learning in your classroom.

About the Author

Pooja K. Agarwal, Ph.D. is an expert in the field of cognitive science, and an Assistant Professor at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, teaching psychological science to exceptional undergraduate musicians. To advance the use of scientifically-based classroom strategies, Pooja founded RetrievalPractice.org, a hub of research, resources, and tips for educators. Pooja’s research is supported by the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Education. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, Education Week, and Scientific American, as well as in books, academic journals, and podcasts.

Patrice M. Bain, Ed.S., is a middle school teacher with over 25 years of expertise. Her classroom was the first in the U.S. to conduct research with cognitive scientists, examining how students learn. In addition, Patrice was the only K-12 teacher invited to co-author a guide about the science of learning, commissioned by the Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education. Patrice’s classroom strategies have been featured in NOVA and Scientific American, as well as in popular press, public radio, and blogs.