In a previous article, we discussed the Pygmalion effect, a cognitive bias that can interfere with the teacher-learner relationship and have significant effects on learning. However, of the 250 or so cognitive biases known to date, it is not the only one that deserves special attention in education. Here are three other formidable ones: the bias blind spot, the halo effect and the curse of knowledge.
The way we perceive the learning process influences the way we approach learning tasks and thus the quality of our learning outcomes. As we saw in a previous article, adults face six different conceptions of the learning process.
Learning probably means different things to you than it does to your neighbour. Researchers who have explored the issue have found that there are six distinct ways of thinking about the learning process. This perception about learning is not trivial, since it influences how everyone approaches learning tasks, which ultimately affects the quality of their learning outcomes.
Many of the judgments we make daily, although they may seem sensible to us, are, in fact, far from rational and can lead us to make bad decisions. These erroneous judgments are called cognitive biases, and some 250 different ones are known to date.
Questions are essential for effective teaching, especially when they invite the learner to engage in high-level reflection. Well-formulated questions can also become a powerful tool for assessing teaching and learning. To guide you through this important exercise, here are some sample questions presented by level of difficulty and question type.
Learning is increasingly taking place in a technology-driven mode, whether or not it is combined with traditional classroom settings. Since this trend will become more prominent in the years to come, it is worthwhile to become familiar with these new realities. Here is a mini glossary of terms that will help you do just that.
We are all quite familiar with the phenomenon of optical illusions, but less so with the phenomenon of cognitive biases. However, these perceptual distortions that are to our mind what optical illusions are to our visual system lead us to make wrong judgments or bad decisions daily
Elearning has evolved significantly over the last few decades, particularly with the advent of digital technology and Web 2.0. Like any other field, it has its own jargon, which can be intimidating for anyone starting to look into it.
Defining clear learning objectives is a challenging first step when creating a course. Viewed as the backbone of many educational strategies, Bloom’s taxonomy is a teaching tool that helps you design a course based on the outcomes you want to achieve. By providing a clear focus, both the teaching and the learning paths become more coherent and easier to envision. Let’s take a look at a few tips on how we can use Bloom’s taxonomy in practice.
In your opinion, is the human being first and foremost rational? This is a big question that can give rise to endless philosophical debates. But from the strict point of view of the sciences that study how our box of thoughts works, we have a good idea of the answer... even if we still have a lot to learn about this fascinating organ that is our brain.
