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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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Why Don’t Students Like School? summary
A Cognitive Scientist Answers Questions About How the Mind Works and What It Means for the Classroom
21 mins
Brief summary
"Why Don’t Students Like School?" by Daniel T. Willingham explores the science of how the brain learns and offers practical strategies for teachers. It explains why students find some tasks engaging while others are boring, and provides ways to make learning more effective and enjoyable.
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Why Don’t Students Like School?
Summary of 7 key ideas
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Key idea 1 of 7
Humans aren’t actually that good at thinking, but we are pretty great at pattern recognition.
Why is it that teenagers just can’t seem to get off their electronic devices? And why are they using the internet to play silly games, rather than using it as a treasure house of free knowledge?
Such stereotyping is pretty common, but it’s grossly unfair. As adults and maybe even teachers or parents, we should instead learn a little more about how the brain really functions and why it makes young adults behave the way they do. That’s what we’ll be doing here. You’ll find there’s no need to pass judgment.
The first surprising thing to take on board is that our brain actually doesn’t like to think. We’re not talking about day-to-day thoughts here, but rather those energy-intense, higher-level cognitive processes you employ when reading a difficult text or solving a complex math problem. Just think of how taxing it can feel to decipher a riddle!
It’s this kind of thought process that the human brain dislikes. In fact, its natural tendency is to try to avoid it altogether.
The reason is that active thinking of this kind is not only slow, but also requires huge quantities of energy. In the hunter-gatherer days of our earliest ancestors, that energy was certainly better spent elsewhere. Instead, most of our brain is devoted to processes which were far more important for survival, namely sight and movement. As a result, our abilities to see and move are extraordinary. For instance, a $5 calculator can do math faster than most humans, but no computer can yet walk along a rocky seashore.
So, while we’re great at seeing and moving, our brains don’t really like to engage in serious thinking. Where we do shine, however, is pattern spotting and recognition. Why? Well, this too has to do with energy. Having this skill means we can interpret situations quickly by comparing them with what we’ve seen before, rather than having to spend precious energy on thinking every time we encounter them.
Just think of how infants learn to speak. No one is sitting them down and giving them elocution and grammar lessons. Rather, babies instinctively spot language patterns and connect them with certain situations and objects. That’s how “mom” and “dad” get their names, and how infants learn to make a sound like “goodbye” when someone leaves.
We’ve seen that pattern recognition is great for avoiding energy-intensive thinking. But there’s another cognitive tool that stops us from overloading our brains while combing our hair: memory.
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What is Why Don’t Students Like School? about?
Why Don’t Students Like School? (2009) seeks to explain the brain’s most important processes relating to memory, learning and intelligence. A stronger understanding of these mechanisms will enable all educators to train themselves in better teaching methods and result in more engaging and effective educational programs.
Why Don’t Students Like School? Review
Why Don’t Students Like School? (2009) is an enlightening exploration of the human mind and why students often struggle to engage with learning. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- Through insightful analysis and accessible explanations, the book sheds light on the cognitive processes that influence students' motivation and comprehension.
- With its practical strategies and evidence-based recommendations, it provides educators and parents with valuable tools to create engaging learning environments.
- By debunking common misconceptions about teaching and learning, the book challenges conventional wisdom and offers fresh perspectives that can transform educational practices.
Best quote from Why Don’t Students Like School?
Having factual knowledge in long-term memory makes it easier to acquire still more factual knowledge
—Daniel T. Willingham
Who should read Why Don’t Students Like School??
- Parents wanting to ensure their children succeed at school
- Educators and teachers hoping to hone their craft
- Forgetful people trying to improve their memory recall
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Why Don’t Students Like School? FAQs
What is the main message of Why Don’t Students Like School??
The main message of Why Don’t Students Like School? is that understanding how our brains work can help improve students' engagement and learning.
How long does it take to read Why Don’t Students Like School??
The reading time for Why Don’t Students Like School? may vary. However, reading the Blinkist summary will only take a few minutes.
Is Why Don’t Students Like School? a good book? Is it worth reading?
Why Don’t Students Like School? is a thought-provoking book that offers valuable insights into educational psychology. It's definitely worth a read.
Who is the author of Why Don’t Students Like School??
The author of Why Don’t Students Like School? is Daniel T. Willingham.
What to read after Why Don’t Students Like School??
If you're wondering what to read next after Why Don’t Students Like School?, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- The Case Against Education by Bryan Caplan
- Grasp by Sanjay Sarma
- Think Like a Psychologist by Patrick King
- I Know What to Do So Why Don't I Do It? by Nick Hall
- Creative Schools by Ken Robinson and Lou Aronica
- Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
- Raising Securely Attached Kids by Eli Harwood
- The Anatomy of Anxiety by Ellen Vora
- Mindset by Carol Dweck
- Educated by Tara Westover