Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-cognitive-science-for-teachers-level-2-seneca-certified-educator/1-1-4-david-didau [Revision notes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes.md) › [Teacher CPD](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd.md) › [CPD: Cognitive Science for Teachers Level 2 - Seneca Certified Educator](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-cognitive-science-for-teachers-level-2-seneca-certified-educator.md) › David Didau # David Didau CPD: Cognitive Science Level 2, topic 1.1.4 ## David Didau David Didau has written famous education books, including *Making Kids Cleverer* and *What Every Teacher Needs to Know about Psychology*. ### Fluid intelligence ![Fluid intelligence](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/94863659-80ef-402e-8a49-0142a04369fc/fluid-water-liquid.jpg) - **Fluid intelligence**: one's ability to solve problems and to reason. -Highly correlated with working memory. - Varies between people. - Current research indicates that it is not possible to increase it. ### Crystallised intelligence ![Crystallised intelligence](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/courseImages/chemistry/1.1.1-Mixtures%20and%20compounds/crystallisation.jpg) - **Crystallised intelligence**: one's ability to use the information they have stored in long-term memory. - No limit to long-term memory storage. - The ability to *not* forget information can be improved. - By improving our crystallised intelligence, we can compensate for any deficits in our fluid intelligence. ### Schemas ![Schemas](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-11/b31319a0-c848-468d-866a-dfb8fc670a19/networks-.png) - One way to do that is to strengthen our schemas (this is covered in more details in the Level 1 course). - Schemas are the network of information we store in long-term memory. - When we retrieve one piece of the network, we also retrieve the pieces of information that are linked to it. - Importantly, schemas occupy the same space in working memory as individual facts. Thus, by having strong schemas, we can "cheat" our working memory. ## David Didau David Didau has written famous education books, including *Making Kids Cleverer* and *What Every Teacher Needs to Know about Psychology*. ### No need for an intense revolution ![No need for an intense revolution](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/2dc36b3a-f1ff-4ec3-bea7-3ab0c532ccea/revolution-rebellion-fist-.jpg) - Didau believes that, although the educational system is not perfect, we should not be looking for a "bold and bloody revolution". - He disagrees that the educational system is outdated and does not prepare children to develop 21st-century skills. ### The internet ![The internet](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/813b6749-0a3b-4898-b325-5ec357ae5a65/Mouse-Internet-Website-Click-.jpg) - One important point of Didau's work is that the Internet is not making kids less clever. - The fact that we can look things up online does not decrease the need for problem-solving, collaboration and creativity. - In fact, in order to do these things and think critically about something, you need to have a vast knowledge about that something. - Thus, replacing traditional and explicit teaching for pure skill training harms pupils, especially the disadvantaged ones. ### Don't focus on skills ![Don't focus on skills](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/courseImages/physics/AQA%20New%20Modules/6.1.3/thumbs%20down.jpg) - Didau says that teachers should not focus or put effort into improving fluid intelligence by teaching pupils skills. - Because skills like creativity and problem-solving are fluid intelligence, when we spend time training these skills, we are benefiting the students that already have higher working memory capacity without helping the other pupils. ### Focus on knowledge ![Focus on knowledge](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/courseImages/physics/AQA%20New%20Modules/6.1.3/thumbs%20up.jpg) - If, however, we focus on the quality and the quantity of the knowledge we teach, we can ensure that all students increase their crystallised intelligence, which will then help them compensate for any issues with working memory capacity. ## Test yourself on David Didau - Two of the most famous books by David Didau? - According to Didau, how can we make kids cleverer? - Which of these, according to Didau, does NOT help disadvantaged pupils to get cleverer? - What is the internet NOT doing to students? [Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/aebdbb79-c863-4eca-ab3f-31e5120f5fb0/section/2255e401-4802-4549-bc3e-d54a7fcd7cdb/session) - Previous topic: [1.1.3 Alex Quigley](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-cognitive-science-for-teachers-level-2-seneca-certified-educator/1-1-3-alex-quigley.md) - Next topic: [2.1.1 6 Steps by the Evidence Based Teachers Network](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-cognitive-science-for-teachers-level-2-seneca-certified-educator/2-1-1-6-steps-by-the-evidence-based-teachers-network.md) ## CPD: Cognitive Science Level 2 contents ### 1 Important Educational Researchers Currently - 1.1 Interesting Current Educational Researchers - [1.1.1 Mary Myatt](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-cognitive-science-for-teachers-level-2-seneca-certified-educator/1-1-1-mary-myatt.md) - [1.1.2 Daisy Christodoulou](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-cognitive-science-for-teachers-level-2-seneca-certified-educator/1-1-2-daisy-christodoulou.md) - [1.1.3 Alex Quigley](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-cognitive-science-for-teachers-level-2-seneca-certified-educator/1-1-3-alex-quigley.md) - [1.1.4 David Didau](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-cognitive-science-for-teachers-level-2-seneca-certified-educator/1-1-4-david-didau.md) ### 2 How to Have an Evidence-Informed Classroom - 2.1 How to Have an Evidence-Informed Classroom - [2.1.1 6 Steps by the Evidence Based Teachers Network](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-cognitive-science-for-teachers-level-2-seneca-certified-educator/2-1-1-6-steps-by-the-evidence-based-teachers-network.md) - [2.1.2 3 Steps by the George W. Bush’s Institute](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-cognitive-science-for-teachers-level-2-seneca-certified-educator/2-1-2-3-steps-by-the-george-w-bushs-institute.md) - [2.1.3 5 Steps by the University of Birmingham](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-cognitive-science-for-teachers-level-2-seneca-certified-educator/2-1-3-5-steps-by-the-university-of-birmingham.md) ### 3 Interleaving - 3.1 Optimum Interleaving - [3.1.1 Optimum Interleaving](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-cognitive-science-for-teachers-level-2-seneca-certified-educator/3-1-1-optimum-interleaving.md) ### 4 Curriculum - 4.1 Cognitive Sciences and SEND - [4.1.1 Cognitive Sciences and SEND](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-cognitive-science-for-teachers-level-2-seneca-certified-educator/4-1-1-cognitive-sciences-and-send.md) - 4.2 Curriculum Design - [4.2.1 Curriculum Design](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-cognitive-science-for-teachers-level-2-seneca-certified-educator/4-2-1-curriculum-design.md) - 4.3 Christine Counsell: Senior Curriculum Leadership - [4.3.1 What is Senior Curriculum Leadership](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-cognitive-science-for-teachers-level-2-seneca-certified-educator/4-3-1-what-is-senior-curriculum-leadership.md) - [4.3.2 The Curriculum as a Narrative](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-cognitive-science-for-teachers-level-2-seneca-certified-educator/4-3-2-the-curriculum-as-a-narrative.md) ### 5 Future Questions - 5.1 Future Questions - [5.1.1 Future Questions](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-cognitive-science-for-teachers-level-2-seneca-certified-educator/5-1-1-future-questions.md)