ShiftED Podcast #47 In Conversation with John Hattie: The stories data can tell us from his book Visible Learning

What if nearly everything we do in education actually makes a difference? In this episode, we welcome the brilliant John Hattie, a pioneering figure in educational research, to unravel the mysteries behind effective teaching practices. John takes us on a fascinating journey through his career, from his early days in psychometrics and statistics to his groundbreaking work on meta-analysis. His move to New Zealand marked a turning point, leading to the development of "Visible Learning," a transformative approach that has reshaped how we understand educational success. John shares his insightful perspectives on the shift from asking "what works" to "what works best," revealing the hidden stories numbers can tell.Join us as we explore surprising findings about educational practices, where 95% show positive effects on student learning. John challenges us to rethink common assumptions, such as the impact of class size and teacher subject matter knowledge, and underscores the value of evidence-based approaches. With his candid anecdotes, John highlights how "Visible Learning" unexpectedly gained traction, fostering a global shift towards research-informed teaching methods. This episode illuminates the critical role of listening and the evolving landscape of educational data and theory since John's influential 2008 work.Listeners can expect to be engaged by discussions on the importance of reflective practices, the role of artificial intelligence in lesson planning, and the dynamic interplay between teaching methods and student outcomes. Together, we examine the necessity for intentional alignment in education, advocating for methods that resonate with content and goals. Our conversation with John is rich with thought-provoking insights, offering a fresh perspective on how education can be reimagined to serve both students and teachers more effectively. As we wrap up, we reflect on the vibrant world of ideas that defines our times and express heartfelt gratitude to John for sharing his wisdom, with hopes of continuing this enlightening dialogue in the future.