The problem with disconnected facts...
Well hello there, and welcome to update #172!
I’m mindful when I’m referring to research that I tend to draw on the elements that support my position, and there’s a danger of confirmation bias.
It’s for this reason that I encourage colleagues to disagree with me. There are two elements to this: the first is that there is always at least one alternative point of view and I should be open to those; the second is that I believe that through respectful debate, discussion and disagreement our professional insights grow.
So, the problem with disconnected facts comes from a quote attributed to Steven Pinker:
“Cognitive psychology has shown that the mind best understands facts when they are woven into a conceptual fabric, such as a narrative, mental map, or intuitive theory. Disconnected facts in the mind are like unlinked pages on the Web: They might as well not exist.”
I’m reflecting on this a lot at the moment as I’m working with colleagues on their curriculum plans. One of the things we are noticing is that much of the content technically covers the intended curriculum, but is not underpinned by the big ideas or presented in a way that is likely to lead to deep learning.
These conversations end up by arriving at a place where we agree that curriculum materials are likely to have greater impact on learning, if we focus on fewer ideas, in greater depth.
There is a tendency to try to cover too much, but then we end up with a curriculum which, to quote Dylan Wiliam, is a mile wide and an inch deep.
This is hard! And the reason it’s hard is that we want to be able to teach as much content as possible. And it’s uncomfortable realising that we can’t!
In my new webinar, I’ll be talking about how we can use insights from the Pareto Principle and the Eisenhower Matrix to get greater clarity on what’s worth emphasising and what we can leave out, both in the curriculum and other workload elements such as marking and data drops.
It’s on Monday 12 January 4-5pm on Myatt & Co, live and recorded.
Until next time!
Mary
PS
Schools work with me when they want to:
Get clarity on their curriculum plans
See the wood from the trees
Support all learners to access the curriculum
Here are 3 ways I help them to do that:
Downloading free resources such as the Curriculum Reference Packs for secondary and the Subject Quotes for primary
Regular contact for schools using the KS3 Ambitious Years resources on Myatt & Co