Research: In his new book, entitled How We Learn, Benedict Carey claims that self-awareness is key to effective learning. He argues against traditional notions of how we learn (long hours in quiet isolation with a textbook) and promotes “tactical schooling,” which incorporates new knowledge about memory and the brain. When students learn how to learn, the task becomes less stressful and gives them an edge in making choices about their academic pursuits.

Practice: One of the benefits of working so closely with our students is that we can continually examine what works and what doesn’t to develop such self-awareness. Our teachers are constantly experimenting with new learning tactics and strategies to help students get to know themselves as learners and identify their true academic capacity.