21st Century Learning and Teaching

A research study about research studies comes up with a cautionary finding.

For more than a decade, school reformers have said that education policy should be driven by “research” and “data,” but there’s a big question about how much faith anyone should have in a great deal of education research. This is so not only because the samples are too small or because some research projects are funded by specific companies looking for specific results, but because in nearly all cases, it appears that nobody can be certain their results are completely accurate.

“I would love to believe that every single person doing education research around the world has ethics that are as pure as the driven snow,” Plucker said. “[But] the law of averages tells us there’s something out there.”

Providing high-quality professional development for teachers may be the most important thing schools can do to improve students learning.

Learn more:

- http://gustmees.wordpress.com/2013/01/23/is-your-professional-development-up-to-date/

- http://www.scoop.it/t/21st-century-learning-and-teaching/?tag=Rise+of+the+Professional+Educator

- http://www.scoop.it/t/21st-century-learning-and-teaching/?tag=Great+Teachers

What is it that sets people with grit apart? Robertson-Craft and Duckworth describe their key characteristic this way: “Gritty individuals work  diligently towards very challenging, long-term goals, sustaining commitment when confronted with setbacks and adversity.”

That sounds like a quality that would be immensely useful in teaching—and many other professions.