Fröjd’s toolbox Avsnitt 60: Meet Baddeley, Sweller, Bjork & Bjork, Hattie and Sachdeva in a unique Roundtable on Working Memory, Cognitive Load Theory and Desirable Difficulties
Apr 14, 2025
Guest
Dr. Alan Baddeley
Guest
John Sweller
Guest
Elizabeth Bjork
Guest
Robert Bjork
Guest
John Hattie
Guest
Nidhi Sachdeva
Join a legendary roundtable featuring Alan Baddeley, a pioneer of the working memory model, and John Sweller, creator of Cognitive Load Theory. Elizabeth and Robert Bjork share insights on how desirable difficulties can enhance memory retention. John Hattie discusses making learning visible, while Nidhi Sachdeva connects research to classroom practice. The panel explores topics like motivation, testing effects, and adapting teaching strategies for diverse learners. It’s a fascinating blend of history and practical applications in the Science of Learning.
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From Math Psychology To UCLA Emeritus
- Robert Bjork described starting as a mathematical psychologist then shifting to experimental work and later becoming research professor emeritus at UCLA.
- He reflected on career turns, golf, and fortunate choices that shaped his research path.
Frame Desirable Difficulties To Students
- Intentionally introduce spaced retrieval, interleaving, and pre-testing in courses but frame them for students as strategies that boost long-term mastery.
- Prepare students for initial discomfort and explain why short-term struggle predicts later success.
Safety Enables Productive Struggle
- Classroom climate must make it safe to fail so students will take on challenging learning that produces durable gains.
- John Hattie links trust, error-management, and willingness to risk as prerequisites for desirable difficulties to work.
