by Alex Quigley in the crowded field of educational literature. Why Learning Fails (and What to Do About It) A refreshing, practical guide that provides teachers with actionable strategies.
Known for his contributions to vocabulary instruction, Quigley expands his focus to encompass a comprehensive analysis of learning failures, providing educators with both theoretical understanding and practical solutions.
The book is organized into eight sections, each dealing with a specific learning failure. This structure allows focused exploration of each issue and allows readers to easily navigate to the areas most relevant to their needs.
Every section is divided into two main parts: The first part identifies and describes the problem, while the second part provides a clear, actionable strategy for solving the problem. As a teacher, I find this format very beneficial. Too many educational books delve deep into theory without providing practical application, but Quigley strikes the perfect balance, making this book both informative and useful.
Each chapter provides examples of the key stages of primary and secondary education. At first I was skeptical about the effectiveness of such a broad approach. I was worried that the book would try to appeal to too wide an audience and end up effectively serving no one.
But Quigley deftly addresses these concerns. Examples are integral to the narrative, not an afterthought. They demonstrate a deep understanding of diverse educational environments. Whether you're a 4th grade teacher or an 11th grade science teacher, you'll find relevant and applicable insights on these pages.
Quigley analyzes how students learn and the obstacles they face. He clearly explains these challenges and provides realistic, classroom-proven strategies for overcoming them.
For example, in addressing ‘Learning Failure #6: Inability to Learn Independently’, Quigley highlights the barriers students face when it comes to self-regulation in their learning. He effectively analyzes why students struggle with independent learning and provides a practical framework for teachers to support their students.
In this particular section, Quigley introduces the ‘Name, Organize, and Maintain’ strategy. This approach is particularly insightful because it breaks the process of teaching independent study skills into manageable steps.
‘Naming’ involves explicitly labeling the strategy so that it is clear and easy to remember. ‘Framing’ then places these strategies in a broader context, explaining why they are useful and how they can be used. Finally, ‘Sustain’ focuses on guided practice, repetition and reflection.
This method not only gives students the tools they need, but also empowers them to become autonomous learners.
The steps to success at the end of each chapter are especially helpful. Summarize key tasks in a concise and accessible manner. These summaries help ensure that essential points are not missed in more detailed explanations and provide a quick reference for busy teachers.
One of the book's greatest strengths is Quigley's ability to distill complex ideas into actionable steps, making it a practical guide rather than merely theoretical discourse.
The reflection questions at the end of each chapter are a great addition. This encourages educators to think critically about what they read, fostering deeper engagement with the material. These questions are not just about remembering information, but about considering how to implement strategies in your own teaching context.
Another highlight is the book's visuals. Diagrams and pictures effectively demonstrate how different concepts appear in the classroom. These visual elements complement the text beautifully, making complex ideas more accessible and providing concrete implementation examples.
In summary, Why learning fails An exemplary resource for educators at all levels. Its well-organized structure, clear distinction between problems and solutions, and extensive real-world examples make it an invaluable tool for addressing learning failures.
Quigley's ability to combine theory with actionable advice sets this book apart from many others in the field. This makes this book a must-read for all educators working to understand and overcome barriers to student learning.
I sincerely give it 5 stars and highly recommend it to my colleagues.