Teaching Isn’t Just a Belief—it’s a Science!
17th July 2025
Cheery Friday Greetings from Barb Oakley!
Teaching Isn’t Just a Belief—it’s a Science!
A fantastic new piece from Jim Hewitt and Nidhi Sachdeva reminds us that teaching should be grounded in evidence, not opinion. Drawing on insights from Douglas Carnine’s classic work, the article challenges us to shift from “I believe” to “the data shows”—just like medicine did decades ago. It’s a powerful nudge to lean into what learning science reveals—embracing research, measurement, and real results over tradition or intuition. A refreshing reminder as we wrap up the week: when in doubt, let the data guide the teaching!
Craig Barton’s “Tips for Teachers”
We were fortunate enough to meet insightful presenter Craig Barton at a recent math conference. Craig runs a wonderful Substack titled “Tips for Teachers” with brief updates on research papers that provide practical insights for teachers. This is definitely worth subscribing to.
A Bridge to Lifelong Learning (and Friendship!)
Here’s a delightful little tale: A while back, my friend Pat Bowden and I climbed Brisbane’s magnificent Story Bridge. (Yes, the view was amazing, and yes, the climb was a blast—even for a hiker-brain like me!) Pat has a knack for embracing adventures, and now she’s written a wonderful piece about how online courses have transformed her life. If you’re looking for something truly uplifting to kick off your weekend, take a peek at Pat’s inspiring story: How Online Courses Changed My Life. It might just make you smile—and who knows, maybe you’ll find your own bridge to something new!
A Triple Scoop of Schooling
The Astral Codex Ten review contest features two fascinating education entries worth your coffee break. First, an experienced teacher asks what school really does—and lands on a surprising answer: it’s less about learning, more about motivating kids at scale. In another review, we head to Austin, where another writer enrolled their family in Alpha School, a tech-powered micro-school promising 2.6× faster learning. The review is both hopeful and skeptical—raising smart questions about screen time, incentives, and the value of human teachers. Bonus: Brandon Hendrickson and Alessandro Gianni discuss both essays in an energetic podcast that might make you rethink (or double down on) your own views on education.
Two Thoughtful Chats from New Zealand: On AI, Curiosity & Broadening Passion
This past week brought the joy of not one but two delightful conversations from New Zealand! First up was a rich discussion with Jeff Harford on Dunedin’s OARsome Morning Show—Jeff is a truly gifted interviewer who brought out connections I hadn’t articulated before. Then I had the honor of joining Kathryn Ryan on RNZ’s Nine to Noon, where the questions were equally thoughtful and the pace just right for digging into some meaty ideas.
Across both conversations, we explored how to equip teachers, parents, and learners in the age of AI—and why tools like ChatGPT can be a surprising ally, especially for generating metaphors that make tough concepts click. (Pro tip: don’t just ask for a metaphor—ask for five!)
We also dove into unexpected gems, like how fine motor skills—think playing piano or violin—can quietly boost a child’s academic focus. And finally, we challenged that classic advice to “follow your passion,” suggesting instead that students might flourish more by broadening their passions—and discovering new ones along the way.
If you’d like to listen in, both interviews offer a different rhythm and flavor—but share the same heart.
🎧 Kathryn Ryan on Nine to Noon (RNZ)
🎧 Jeff Harford on OARsome Morning Show (OAR FM)
Yerevan, Armenia, International Conference on “Education and Research in Digital Age Societies”
This November, I’ll be heading to Yerevan, Armenia to keynote a conference at Yerevan State University on education and research in the digital age (You can learn more about it here.)
Sometimes I feel a bit like an intellectual bumble bee—buzzing around the world, picking up bits of insight here and there, and (hopefully) spreading the good stuff as I go. Armenia will be a new stop for me, and I’m really looking forward to seeing what’s blooming there. If you’re in the general vicinity of Yerevan, I’d love to see you there.
That’s all for now. Have a happy month in learning!
Barb Oakley
- Uncommon Sense Teaching—the book and Coursera Specialization!
- The LHTL recommended text, A Mind for Numbers
For kids and parents: Learning How to Learn—the book and MOOC. Pro tip—watch the videos and read the book together with your child. Learning how to learn at an early age will change their life!
