Explore / Counterpositions
Things I am unconvinced by
Many useful ideas become less useful when repeated without their conditions. This collection examines claims that are common enough to influence practice but broad enough to deserve qualification.
The intention is not to replace one slogan with another.
Each entry asks:
- What is the strongest version of the claim?
- Where does it hold?
- Where does it break?
- What evidence matters?
- What would be a more precise formulation?
The claims
11 claims, bounded
Engagement is evidence of learning
Engagement is a condition for learning, not a measure of it.
Where it holds, where it breaksGood UX removes friction
Remove the friction in the interface. Keep the difficulty in the material.
Where it holds, where it breaksFlexible furniture creates flexible learning
Movable tables make regrouping cheaper. A routine is what makes it happen.
Where it holds, where it breaksEmpathy is user research
Empathy motivates research. It does not replace observation.
Where it holds, where it breaksDesign thinking is a five-step process
The five modes are a teaching scaffold. The work is framing the problem.
Where it holds, where it breaksPersonalisation is inherently learner-centred
Personalisation serves learners when it adapts to what they know, not to what they prefer.
Where it holds, where it breaksInnovation should be novel
An innovation is new to its setting and better there. Novelty in the world is optional.
Where it holds, where it breaksDashboards create visibility
A dashboard shows what was measured. Visibility needs a question and an action.
Where it holds, where it breaksBest practice transfers across contexts
A practice travels when the conditions that made it work travel with it.
Where it holds, where it breaksProfessional development changes practice
Training changes practice when it continues into the classroom.
Where it holds, where it breaksSuccessful pilots should be replicated faithfully
Scale the load-bearing parts faithfully. Let the rest adapt, on purpose.
Where it holds, where it breaks