Technolandy

Day 21 (of 2026/27) eye roll emoji: “Science” of Learning…

Teaching is an Art.

Even the title of a book i found on my dad’s shelf.

There ain’t no clear pathway

No universal solvent

No one-size-fits-all approach…

Even thought that would me much easier. 

But teaching ain’t easy… 

And it’s why I’m glad our province’s greatest strength remains

Its autonomy of teachers

And trusting our professionalism

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Neurologies are all unique

Brains may be grouped into patterns for convenience

But as Todd Rose points out:

When we aim for average

We miss all

Even if it is more convenient for organization

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I like elements of “The Science of…” series

Reading – reminds me of Whole Language

(When done right)

Hmmm, No Science of Math (no best textbook because there is no “THIS is how every brain learns mathematics”)

No Science of Writing (misbelief that it is tight with reading – an simply ‘reading in reverse’)

Science of Learning?? Ain’t no way… there are some ‘really good for many’ hypotheses that can be followed… some great experiments that can even be (often but not always) replicated… but definitely more of an Art…

As my metaphor use goes – yes, sometimes learning can be likened to classical music – where a teacher follows tightly constructed notes and bars 

Sidebar- the writing down of music can be blamed on Pope Gregory – 

As in the Gregorian Chants

Because he felt that music shouldn’t just be a vibe or feeling

Or come from the soul

But be regimented and replicated…

So yes, sometimes teaching is like classical music…

But more often it works better as Jazz…

An understanding of the key baselines and bass lines, but the ability to pivot where the teachable moments happen

To match the right set with the right neurology

To anticipate the unanticipatablle…

Or as I remind teachers as I see their year plans – really looking forward to how it looks completely different at the end of the year!!

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I do not like how “Science” looks for “A” solution 

How it reinforces the Assembly Line Mindset

By grade/age X, student will ____

The script

The sequence

The explicit instruction

The expected outcome (by age/grade x)

The way every child should learn to read (regardless of the way their brains operating system actually works)

My worry is that the good ideas within SoR is that some implementations and public discourse have drifted towards a standardized instructional sequence or “science backed” recipe (even if it is only half-baked…)

If it is ‘just the right script’ for universal learning, AI will replace teachers faster than even I anticipate… and when ‘science’ promotes the assembly line mindset (not to slow, you get penalized for that.. why not penalize those going too fast?)

Core Principles of SoR

• Working Memory Limits: The brain’s temporary processing space is small and easily overwhelmed if given too much information at once (cognitive overload).
• So how much does pacing impact this… is fast best, or is slower better?
• Long-Term Storage: True learning means moving information from working memory into long-term memory where it can be stored and later retrieved.
• And are all storage devices equal? 
• Prior Knowledge: Students learn best by connecting new ideas to facts and concepts they already know.
• SO much of this depends on family and socioeconomic factors…
• Explicit Instruction: Clear, direct teaching works better than open-ended discovery for teaching novice learners foundational skills.
• I’m not against explicit instruction – but like a worksheet – best used mindfully. 

Effective Learning Strategies that make AI the best at Science of…

• Retrieval Practice: Testing yourself on old material helps lock it into long-term memory.
• Here is the great role for AI
• Spaced Practice: Spreading out study sessions over time beats cramming all at once.
• Once again, promoting collaboration with an AI 
• Interleaving: Mixing up different topics or problem types during practice improves deep understanding.
• Can’t believe how much SoL is leaning into good AI use
• Dual Coding: Combining verbal explanations with visual aids helps the brain process information through two different channels.
• Something AI tends to be very effective at… 

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The toolbox that is the Science of… is good, but we can’t mistake the toolbox for the a recipe (and especially not ‘for all’. 

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I worry that “Science of” → useful evidence → useful tools → potentially terrible implementation if converted into a universal recipe. There is no universal solvent… no panacea … no one set of instructions.

It’s not a failure of science.

It’s an art.