Making Sense of Learning

Norman Reid has taught at both secondary and university levels in his own science discipline, including a number of years as a head-teacher. He became director of a major research centre in education involving the supervision of large numbers of research students. He held chairs in two Scottish universities. A frequent international keynote speaker, he has published extensively. His areas of specialist interest include educational research, science education, attitude development, assessment, learner characteristics, educational statistics and quality assurance.Following a career in teaching and the completion of a research degree, Asma managed the expansion of the International Baccalaureate (IB) across a range of schools in her native Pakistan, including policy-making and supporting teachers and head-teachers. She has been involved in educational developments across East Asia, is an experienced trainer, marker and examiner, and is currently the head of an IB College. Shehas numerous publications, especially in the areas of curriculum development, assessment and the nature of learning across the curriculum.

“Read and Ali’s book is an excellent exemplification of this principle, and of the tensions it creates. … Their approach to a textbook offers a model for educators of the process of designing teaching that will support learning by keeping things simple and constantly reviewing core principles. … ‘Making Sense of Learning’ is an impressive undertaking and should prove incredibly valuable to those for whom it was prepared.”(Keith S. Taber, Foundations of Chemistry, Vol. 23, 2021)

• 1 Introduction, The nature of educational research.- 2 How do Students Learn?, The foundations of understanding.- 3 A World of Information, How do our brains handle ideas?.- 4 Why are Concepts Difficult?, Research related to working memory.- 5 Learner Characteristics, What are the key variations in learning?.- 6 Models of the Curriculum, Why do our students study what they study?.- 7 School Subjects and the Curriculum, Why do we teach what we teach?.- 8 Assessment Principles, Moving assessment into a new future.- 9 Assessment Practicalities, How to develop quality assessments.- 10 Thinking Skills, Are there different aspects in thinking?.- 11 Beliefs and Attitudes, Why do attitudes matter?.- 12 The Development of Attitudes, Impact of Attitudes.- 13 Practical Teaching, The Antidote to Boredom.- 14 Intelligence, Ability and Performance, Dangers in past and present thinking.- 15 Developing Quality Education, How do we approach the development of quality?.- 16 Making sense of statistics, How statistics can help us forward in education.- 17 Myths and Mirages, Opinions, Assertion and Evidence.- 18 More Myths and Mirages, Opinions, Assertion and Evidence.-    19 Educational Futures, Key Messages from Research.- Appendices.-