3-Read Friday #36

Attention contagion, independent learning, and email feedback

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Here are three blog posts that I found interesting this week.

1. Can students “catch” attention? Introducing “Attention Contagion” by Andrew Watson

I love how Andrew dissects interesting research studies, picks out the main findings, discusses the implications for the classroom, and draws attention to important caveats. Here, he breaks down one of my favourite research papers on the phenomenon of attention contagion.

2. Improving Independent Learning by Alex Quigley

A roomful of independent learners is the holy grail for many teachers. But achieving it is far from easy. Here, Alex suggests some concrete strategies that can help. I really like the “name it, then frame it” approach.

3. Is email feedback a waste of time? by Paul Cline

Two blogs for the price of one to finish 3-Read Friday this week as Paul Cline responds to Tom Sherrington’s blog post about the ineffectiveness of lesson observation feedback via email. For what it’s worth, I am on Tom’s side of the debate here, but it is always worth being challenged by alternative perspectives.

If you found this edition of 3-Read Friday useful, feel free to share it with colleagues. You can also check out all the back issues of my Eedi and Tips for Teachers newsletters here. But most importantly, have a great weekend.

Craig