Category: Myths

How Reliable Are Meta-Analyses in Education? A Closer Look at What They Do (and Don’t) Tell Us

When you say in education debates that something “works according to research”, you usually get approving nods from one corner and sceptical grumbles from another. Especially when a meta-analysis is involved, after all, that is supposed to be the top of the evidence pyramid. Combine many studies, average their findings, weigh them carefully and report… Read More How Reliable Are Meta-Analyses in Education? A Closer Look at What They Do (and Don’t) Tell Us

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No, Boys Probably Do Not Learn Better From Male Teachers

The idea pops up regularly in discussions about equity: would it help if boys were taught by men and girls by women? In theory, what we call gender matching sounds logical. Think of role models, fewer stereotypical expectations, and more recognition. But in practice, this has long been a difficult question. We already touched on… Read More No, Boys Probably Do Not Learn Better From Male Teachers

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Are Student Evaluations of Teaching Still Biased Against Women?

When we wrote More Urban Myths About Learning and Education, one of the chapters discussed whether male and female teachers are judged differently. We knew then that female teachers often receive less recognition than their male colleagues. This is not because they teach less effectively, but because the lens through which students (or pupils) evaluate… Read More Are Student Evaluations of Teaching Still Biased Against Women?

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What Neuroscience Can – and Can’t – Do for Education

Few topics spark as much excitement and confusion as the relationship between brain research and education. Since the rise of “brain-based learning” and colourful fMRI scans in PowerPoint slides at the turn of the century, it has been tempting. Many believe that science could finally prove what good teaching looks like. However, as my good… Read More What Neuroscience Can – and Can’t – Do for Education

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When Even Dan Ariely Is Caught Up in Fraud, I’m Intrigued

I find myself growing increasingly curious about a new book that has just been released. Two recent reviews – one in Science and another in Education Next – put Max Bazerman’s Inside an Academic Scandal firmly in the spotlight. The more I read about it, the more I want to get my hands on it… Read More When Even Dan Ariely Is Caught Up in Fraud, I’m Intrigued

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ChatGPT and Retracted Studies: Why Caution Is Still Needed

There’s a growing body of research looking at how AI models like ChatGPT handle science. A new article in Learned Publishing by Thelwall and colleagues zooms in on a particular question: does ChatGPT recognise when a scientific paper has been retracted? The answer is sobering. In this study, 217 notorious, retracted or otherwise problematic papers… Read More ChatGPT and Retracted Studies: Why Caution Is Still Needed

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AI and the Silence of the Countervoice

Imagine having a conversation with someone who agrees with you all the time. At first, it feels nice—confirmation is pleasant, after all. However, LLMs will make us more comfortable but not necessarily wiser, as you get no pushback, no critical questions, and no fresh ideas. And above all, you don’t learn anything. That’s precisely what… Read More AI and the Silence of the Countervoice

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Why So Many University Faculty Still Believe Urban Myths About Learning and Education

I know others have, such as my dear friend and colleague Paul Kirschner, written about this study, but it would be very strange not to write about it myself on this blog. You’d think that anyone teaching at a university would know what works—and what doesn’t—when it comes to learning. Yet a new study by… Read More Why So Many University Faculty Still Believe Urban Myths About Learning and Education

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When AI Knows the NeuroMyth – But Won’t Tell You!

I’ve been writing about myths in education for a long time. In books, talks, and this blog, I’ve lost count of the times I’ve explained why “learning styles” don’t improve learning, why we don’t “only use 10% of our brain,” or why playing Mozart won’t boost a child’s reasoning skills. The evidence is clear, yet… Read More When AI Knows the NeuroMyth – But Won’t Tell You!

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What if a Growth Mindset approach backfires?

Anyone who follows this blog and my (our) work knows that I’ve previously nuanced the hype surrounding the Growth Mindset. Not because the idea—intelligence can be developed—is absurd, but because the interventions aimed at it rarely make a significant difference. The average effects on learning gains are small and often difficult to replicate. I would… Read More What if a Growth Mindset approach backfires?

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