Revolutions in education

Authors

  • Derek A. Muller Veritasium https://www.veritasium.com/

Keywords:

Constructivism, Multimedia, Educational Revolutions, Education Research

Abstract

As we look to the future of education and ‘prepare for the future’ as is the theme of ICPE2022, it is instructive to consider what has been said in the past about the future of education.  Many revolutions in education have been predicted, and most have not come to pass. One recent example is that of MOOCs. In this presentation, I examine why these predictions have failed, revealing some important aspects of effective education.

Discussing prophesised revolutions in education which have not eventuated, will address a number of features and pitfalls, uncovering provocative ideas I see in education research. Constructivism, while deeply embedded in educational psyche and systems, has both positives and negatives underpinned by the constructivist philosophy. The challenges brought on by the multifaceted nature of education research, contentions around the evidence base are ever present.  The complicated incentives for educational researchers to invent new terms and phrases for the same concept and ideas are part and parcel of their research. Recent developments in cognitive science and psychology research, readily available in the extant literature, have not been transferred and/or translated into educational practice.  What is apparent is the need for more replications in authentic classrooms and contexts, generating a myriad of overlapping studies such that synthesis can lead to systematic and robust findings.  In this talk I will advocate for the value of the integration, building on terms, theories, methods, evidence for systemic change in education.

REFERENCES

Veritasium. (2021, June 10). The Biggest Myth in Education [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/rhgwIhB58PA

Veritasium. (2014, December 2). The Most Persistent Myth [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/GEmuEWjHr5c

Veritasium. (2017, March 3). The Science of Thinking [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/UBVV8pch1dM

Author Biography

Derek A. Muller, Veritasium https://www.veritasium.com/

Derek Muller is the creator of Veritasium, a YouTube channel about science that has over 11.5 million subscribers and 1.5 billion views, and a winner of the Streamy award for Science and Education in 2017 and 2021. He has hosted award-winning documentaries: Uranium: Twisting the Dragon’s Tail, Digits, and Vitamania for international broadcast networks (SBS, ABC, PBS, ARTE). He was also a correspondent on Netflix’s Bill Nye Saves the World and a presenter on ABC’s Catalyst

Derek has appeared live on stage with Neil deGrasse Tyson, Michio Kaku, Space station commander Chris Hadfield, and co-hosted the 2017 March for Science on the Washington Mall. He kickstarted a magnetic molecule making kit called Snatoms, which exceeded its funding goal in the first hour, sold 10,000 units, and is now available globally.

Derek completed a degree in Engineering Physics from Queen’s University, Canada, and a Ph.D. in Physics Education Research at the University of Sydney, Australia. The topic of his thesis was ‘Designing Effective Multimedia for Physics Education’.  He will be live-streaming directly from Sydney to talk about the future of engaging and educating a wide and diverse audience.

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Published

2022-11-25