3-Read Friday #120

Scripting explanations, videogamification, and what the motivation research actually says

Here are three blog posts I found interesting this week:

1. Let me convince you to try writing a script by Alex Blanksby

The idea of lesson scripts always splits the crowd. Alex argues that the case against scripts collapses once you stop picturing a 60-minute monologue and start picturing 30-second chunks slotted together, re-sequenced, thrown out and rebuilt as the lesson unfolds.

2. The Medium Is the Message by Dylan Kane

Dylan argues that the medium is never neutral, and offers “videogamification” as his counterexample. Students bring video-game habits to any screen, chasing completion rather than learning. On his own maths fact website, some worked out how to game it. How did Dylan address the problem?

3. Motivation — no, it’s not 90% of learning, but it does matter to an extent by Daniel Muijs

Daniel argues that motivation’s effect on attainment is real but modest, and that the research is muddied by the fact that “motivation” means half a dozen different things across studies. The directional finding is not the one most people assume.

Have a great weekend!
Craig

🏃🏻‍♂️Before you go, have you… 🏃🏻‍♂️

… checked out my brand-new book series: The Tips for Teachers guides to…

And checked out my Ultimate Retrieval Tool page on my Mr Barton Maths website