Learning Habits How to Develop Independent and Successful Learners

Contents

Preface 

Introduction - What Does a Successful Independent Learner Look Like? 

1.      How Do We Learn?

a.      The Role of Cognitive Science

b.      Working Memory Is Limited

c.        Why Do We Need to Remember?

d.      Why Is Remembering So Hard?

e.      Why Do Students Forget and What Can We Do About It?

f.        The Importance of Schemas

g.      Desirable Difficulties Dilemma

2.      The Challenges with Thinking 

a.      The Role of Bias in Learning  

b.      Overcoming Bias  

c.      The Psychology Behind Our Statistical Blind Spots 

d.      Nudge Theory 

e.      Noise – Measuring Variability in Learning Habits  

3.      The Challenge of Change 

a.      The Curse of Self-Gratification 

b.      The Misunderstanding of Motivation 

c.      Counting What Counts: Motivation Through Measurement 

d.      How habits Are Born

4.      Creating Learning Habits         

a.      Habit Loops 

b.      Making the Unconscious Contentious  

c.      Design for Success: Start Small, Shape the Space 

d.      The Power of Believe  

e.      Belonging the Missing Link in Habit Formation  

f.      Tipping Points 

5.      AI: Can We Outsource Effort Without Losing Learning? 

a.      The Hidden Cost of AI Convenience 

b.      Harnessing AI for Learning: Principles Grounded in Cognitive Science 

c.      Applying Cognitive Science Through Adaptive Flashcards 

d.      AI Tutors in Education: Promise with Precautions 

e.      Feedback: Why It’s Not What AI Says, But What Students Do 

6.      The Path to Expertise: Accelerating Learning Habits 

a.      How Novices Think Different to Experts 

b.      The Case of Overconfidence  

c.      How Do We Make Decisions 

d.      Developing Better Mental Models 

e.      Using Scenarios to Accelerate Learning Habits  

7.      Conclusion

Glossary

Index

Biography

Richard Wheadon has nearly 20 years of teaching experience. He previously oversaw teaching and learning in a large comprehensive school and was recently awarded a Fellowship by the Chartered College of Teaching. He has presented at education conferences in the United Kingdom and abroad.

Learning Habits by Richard Wheadon is timely, as it shifts the focus from teaching practice to student learning, thinking and habit formation.  Wheadon shares his vast experiences, as a classroom teacher, leader and parent and combines this with an extensive evidence base. How can schools share the knowledge and insight from cognitive science with their students, parents and the wider school community? Wheadon helps to make this possible with practical advice, suggestions and scenarios.

Kate Jones: Best Selling Author and Senior Associate for Teaching and Learning at Evidence Based Education

 

Richard Wheadon’s Learning Habits: How to Develop Independent and Successful Learners provides a thoughtfully considered exploration, from an experts point of view, as to how we can create learners who not only know things but know what to do with that knowledge too. An excellent read from EYFS to University.'

Zoe Enser – School Improvement Lead The Education Partnership Trust

 

In Learning Habits, Wheadon offers a fascinating perspective on the science of learning. By exploring areas such as knowledge acquisition, learning biases and habit formation, he makes a compelling case for the application of cognitive science to the classroom context. A very useful book for teachers of all ages.   

Mark Roberts, Director of Research and English teacher, Carrickfergus Grammar School

 

Wheadon offers a clear and unique insight into learning habits and their implications for teaching. Wheadon weaves a comprehensive research base together with familiar practical challenges, making this book an engaging read and a vital companion for improvement efforts. The content is challenging but Wheadon creates a narrative of complex ideas that make that content digestible and crucially, actionable.

Adam Kohlbeck – Primary Deputy Head and co-founder of EduPulse