Hello! Did we make it to the holidays…? 😅
For many teachers and other educators, summer is a chance to take a break, perhaps a vacation, as well as to read, think, and plan for the year ahead.
I’ll be taking a summer break from these updates, returning in September. In the meantime, thank you so much for reading and for your support!
Summer Reading
Since this is update number 84, there is something of an archive now; if you missed anything, it’s easy to scroll through the topics:
Memory & Metacognition Updates: Archive
If you’d like to delve into something more in-depth than a blog post, you might enjoy my recent book, What Teachers Need to Know about Memory (Firth & Riazat, 2023).
I’ve also got a chapter in the edited book, Teaching Hacks: Fixing Everyday Classroom Issues with Metacognition (Burns, 2024), out now. The contributing co-authors are amazing, and with 14 chapters, there’s sure to be something of interest.
I’ve previously mentioned The researchED Guide to Cognitive Science (Jones, 2023). This is another recent edited volume, and my chapter is on interleaving.
Finally, Metacognition and Study Skills: A Guide for Teachers (Firth, 2024) will be out next month. 😎 I’m so excited about it – it’s packed with guidance on specific metacognitive strategies, such as using ‘think aloud’ (see update #75). Available to pre-order in the UK, USA, Spain, and elsewhere!
Next year
I intend to keep sharing these updates next year, and I’d love to hear what you find most useful. Why not comment on this post to let me know. I’m quite happy to explore teaching challenges that you are facing, and comment on how memory and metacognition could be used to help.
If it’s a bigger or more complex area, I can always do a two– or three-part post. And as you know, I love to explore the links to creativity, too.
Enjoy the summer
That's it from me – I hope you enjoy your summer!
Here’s my dog on a beach here in Scotland last month. I intend to spend a lot of time on Scottish coasts and islands like this, reading and walking.
I hope you have a relaxing break too.
All the best, and thanks again for connecting 🧠
Jonathan
p.s. it’s only fair to share a more close-up image of the dog!
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