Smart Teaching Stronger Learning: Practical Tips From 10 Cognitive Scientists

This is a research based book with very simple and effective strategies on how to help students learn. I wish I had read this before jumping into teaching over 10 years ago. Everything in this book is practical, doable, and very easy to implement. Don’t hesitate to buy it.

After reading about this research years ago I used retrieval and interleaving in my high school math classes and my students found learning easier and more effective and more satisfying. This book takes all the research and turns it into a concise set of terrific and effective teaching strategies. Having used them myself I encourage all teachers to incorporate them into class learning activities!! I have been retired for nine years and just reading these exciting techniques makes me ache to get back in the classroom!

Excellent book for educators. In about 100 pages it summarizes the principles that have been proven to improve learning. In each chapter an expert explains one principle. Researcher Janell Blunt describes retrieval practice which invites students to study differently; instead of rereading to push facts into the mind, the student answers questions so he must pull information out…much more effective. Blunt: One of my students was literally bouncing in their chair after getting 100% on an exam saying “Retrieval works! Retrieval works!”

Smart Teaching Stronger Learning is an absolute game-changer for educators at all levels. This insightful book bridges the gap between cognitive science and classroom practice, offering a wealth of research-backed strategies that are both practical and transformative. Written by cognitive scientists who are also experienced teachers, it presents the latest findings in educational psychology in a way that is accessible, engaging, and immediately applicable. One of the book’s greatest strengths is its clarity and conciseness—each chapter distills complex research into digestible, real-world applications that busy educators can effortlessly integrate into their teaching. From retrieval practice to metacognition, the strategies presented empower teachers to enhance student motivation, deepen learning, and promote long-term success. Whether you are a K–12 teacher, a higher education instructor, or an educational leader, Smart Teaching Stronger Learning is an invaluable resource. It not only reinforces what great educators are already doing but also introduces innovative ways to strengthen pedagogy through evidence-based methods. This book is an essential addition to any educator’s library, providing the tools to make learning more effective, engaging, and enduring.

This was a very practical book with good easy ideas that I can use in the classroom tomorrow.

This concise resource of research provides practical teaching strategies that can be implemented immediately to engage learners in learning, retaining and applying knowledge. Having used retrieval practice strategies in my teaching, I found this chapter appropriate as the first chapter. There are many practical tips to help reinforce the research to impact overall learning of learners from young to old.

Loving the short chapters and that I can read in any order!

This was a quick read that gave me some great ideas to use in my college classroom - I especially liked the chapter about concept mapping. A must-read for any educator intersted in learning more about the science of learning!

Excelente livro para referências de quem quer aprofundar na área.

Truly incredible book and a must for any educator. It really opened my eyes to retrieval practice and other pillars for successful learning.

Insightful and so useful to my teaching of 16-19yo!