One of the main topics of conversations that comes up in the CogSciSci email group is: How do you explain it? Teaching is built on a foundation of strong explanations. Cognitive science gives us various tools to help build our explanations. Things like building explanations up in small steps, showing connections between the current explanation and prior knowledge and judicious use of diagrams, images and models.
The challenge in teaching is that often, we have to create our explanations in a vacuum. We seldom have the time or the capacity to discuss with others what we are teaching, let alone observe our fellow teachers. Fortunately, there’s a large number of teachers who discuss their explanations in blogs, or make videos of their explanations. Wouldn’t it be good if there were an easy way to find these for the topic you were due to teach?
Well now there is!
The Library of Explanations aims to create a convenient bank of blogs, articles and videos featuring explanations. The idea is to create a one-stop-shop for teachers, so they can access them for their own personal CPD. The list is not here to say “this is the only way to explain a topic”, in fact we encourage and welcome discourse.
An ever expanding library
Currently the list is modest, but we are hoping to expand it. That is where you come in! We would really love it if you were able to point us in the direction of videos/blogs/articles that either directly show a good explanation or discuss the different ways of explaining or modelling phenomena.
If you know an explanation that you think should be added to the library please complete this form: Explanation submission form *
We will update the library periodically so please check back and watch our twitter feed for more information.
*If you have multiple entries you would like to recommend please emailed CogSciSci(at)gmail(dot)com.
A downloadable copy of the sheet is available below:
CogSciSci 