Challenging Learning, Invercargill 2011

www.jamesnottingham.co.uk

If there is one new thing we need in

our school system right now, it is a well-developed

focus on learning

Watkins, 2010

What is the balance between nature & nurture?

The world’s tallest man meets the world’s smallest man

Who knows?

Marlys H. Witte, MD

The courage to change the things I can

Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change

And the wisdom to know the difference

Our praise affects achievement, talents & learning

Praise that can do more harm than good (Dweck)

Clever girl!

Gifted musician

Brilliant mathematician

Bright boy

Top of the class!

By far the best

Mueller and Dweck, 1998

In six studies, 7th grade students were given a series of nonverbal IQ tests.

The effects of different types of praise

Intelligence praise

“Wow, that’s a really good score. You must be smart at this.”

Process praise

“Wow, that’s a really good score. You must have tried really hard.”

Control-group praise

“Wow, that’s a really good score.”

Mueller and Dweck, 1998

Trial 1 Trial 34.5

5

5.5

6

6.5

Effort Praise

Control Praise

Intelligence Praise

Number of problems solved on a 3rd test

Boys get 8 times more criticism than girls

The effects of praise

Swimming

“You do your best swimming when you concentrate and try your best to do what Chris is asking you to do”

Ballet

“What a brilliant ballerina you are!”

Labelling kids (and adults) is problematic

I wish teachers had never heard my theory of MI because they’re

all obsessed with categorizing kids!

Professor Howard GardnerMultiple Intelligences

We should focus on progress, not rank order

92

85

73

64

43

32

90

86

78

70

41

35

90

85

84

78

40

34

We praise children when they get 10 out of 10

10/10

Swedes talk about ‘curling parents & teachers’

The Learning Challenge: a possible antidote

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The Pit

1. Concept

2. Conflict

21

Recent Demo Lesson Concepts

What is a toy? (5 year olds)

Was the mouse telling lies? (7 year olds)

What happens when you die? (11 year olds)

What’s the difference between tragedy and romance? (14 year olds)

What is culture? (15 year olds)

Is zero the same as nothing? (17 year olds)

Challenge with young children

Eureka moments come from challenge

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The Pit

1. Concept

2. Conflict

3. Construct

2

1

3

Eureka!

Dunstanburgh Castle, Northumberland, UK

www.jamesnottingham.co.uk

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