Visible Learning for Science, Grades K-12: What Works Best to Optimize Student Learning

by John T. Almarode, Douglas Fisher, Nancy Frey, John Hattie

Overview

Inquiry, laboratory, project-based learning, discovery learning—which science instructional approach is most effective? In Visible Learning for Science, the authors reveal that it’s not which strategy, but when, and plot a vital K-12 framework for choosing the right approach at the right time, depending on where students are within the three phases of learning: surface, deep, and transfer. Synthesizing state-of-the-art science instruction and assessment with John Hattie’s cornerstone educational research, this book empowers you to plan, develop, and implement high-impact instruction at each phase so all students demonstrate more than a year’s worth of learning for every year in school.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781506394183
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
Publication date:	03/23/2018
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	216
Product dimensions:	7.30(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Dr. John Almarode is a bestselling author and an Associate Professor of Education at James Madison University. He was awarded the inaugural Sarah Miller Luck Endowed Professorship in 2015 and received an Outstanding Faculty Award from the State Council for Higher Education in Virginia in 2021. Before his academic career, John started as a mathematics and science teacher in Augusta County, Virginia. As an author, John has written multiple educational books focusing on science and mathematics, and he has co-created a new framework for developing, implementing, and sustaining professional learning communities called PLC+. Dr. Almarode's work has been presented to the US Congress, the Virginia Senate, and the US Department of Education.

John and his colleagues have also focused a lot of attention on the process of implementation – taking evidence-based practices and moving them from intention to implementation, potential to impact through a series of on-your-feet-guides around PLCs, Visible Learning, Visible Teaching, and the SOLO Taxonomy.

Douglas Fisher is professor and chair of educational leadership at San Diego State University and a teacher leader at Health Sciences High and Middle College. Previously, Doug was an early intervention teacher and elementary school educator. He is a credentialed English teacher and administrator in California. In 2022, he was inducted into the Reading Hall of Fame by the Literacy Research Association. He has published numerous articles on reading and literacy, differentiated instruction, and curriculum design, as well as books such as The Teacher Clarity Playbook 2/e, Your Introduction to PLC+, The Illustrated Guide to Teacher Credibility, Instructional Strategies that Move Learning Forward: 30 Tools that Support Gradual Release of Responsibility, and Welcome to Teaching!

Nancy Frey is a Professor in Educational Leadership at San Diego State and a teacher leader at Health Sciences High and Middle College. She is a credentialed special educator, reading specialist, and administrator in California. She is a member of the International Literacy Association’s Literacy Research Panel. Her published titles include 50 Strategies for Activating Your PLC+, The Illustrated Guide to Visible Learning, Welcome to Teaching Multilingual Learners, Teaching Foundational Skills to Adolescent Readers, and RIGOR Unveiled: A Video-Enhanced Flipbook to Promote Teacher Expertise in Relationship Building, Instruction, Goals, Organization, and Relevance.

John Hattie, Ph D, is an award-winning education researcher and best-selling author with nearly thirty years of experience examining what works best in student learning and achievement. His research, better known as Visible Learning, is a culmination of nearly thirty years synthesizing more than 2,100 meta-analyses comprising more than one hundred thousand studies involving over 300 million students around the world. He has presented and keynoted in over three hundred international conferences and has received numerous recognitions for his contributions to education. His notable publications include Visible Learning, Visible Learning for Teachers, Visible Learning and the Science of How We Learn; Visible Learning for Mathematics, Grades K-12; and 10 Mindframes for Visible Learning.

Table of Contents

List of Videos
Acknowledgments
About the Authors
Introduction
Chapter 1. Science Learning Made Visible
Visible Learning
Surface, Deep, and Transfer
Challenging Tasks
Science Is More Than Demonstrations and Labs
The Role of Social Skills in Science
Teacher Clarity
Conclusion
Reflection Questions
Chapter 2. Science Surface Learning Made Visible
Surface Learning in Science
Selecting Science Tasks That Promote Surface Learning
Surface Learning in Science Made Visible
Scientific Processes and Thinking
Feedback
Conclusion
Reflection Questions
Chapter 3. Science Deep Learning Made Visible
Deep Learning in Science
Selecting Science Tasks That Promote Deep Learning
Deep Learning in Science Made Visible
Scientific Processes and Thinking
Feedback
Conclusion
Reflection Questions
Chapter 4. Science Transfer Learning Made Visible
Transfer Learning
Types of Transfer: Near and Far
The Paths for Transfer: Low-Road Hugging and High-Road Bridging
Managing Misconceptions
Conditions Necessary for Transfer Learning
Selecting Science Tasks That Promote Transfer Learning
Helping Students Transform Scientific Understanding
Scientific Processes and Thinking
Feedback
Conclusion
Reflection Questions
Chapter 5. Science Learning Made Visible Through Evaluation
Determining Impact
Calculating the Effect Size
Selecting Evaluations That Promote
Response to Intervention in the Science Classroom
Learning From What Doesn’t Work
Conclusion
Reflection Questions
References
Index

Editorial Reviews

The authors have written a book with research to support that various learning techniques are effective at different times. Its lack of ‘an all or nothing’ approach truly impresses. This book reminds teachers to make relevance obvious when teaching science standards and that mistakes are necessary for learning to occur. It is so relevant in today’s school climate and is an easy read for busy teachers who are trying to do the best they can for their students.”

Mandy Frantti

Visible Learning for Science is a great science methods text with its many, many great examples and excellent inclusion of research. I would definitely use this book in the classroom!”

Dr. Rita Hagevik