Improving Learning
Meta-analysis of Intervention Research in Education

Evidence-informed teaching is essential for effective teaching, but it is important to understand its limitations as well as its benefits.

Steven Higgins (Author)

9781107033320, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 11 October 2018

262 pages
23.5 x 15.6 x 1.8 cm, 0.5 kg

'Professor Higgins writes persuasively about the power of educational research to improve teaching and learning. Meta-analysis emphasises the importance of looking at the totality of evidence on a given issue, and not merely cherry-picking convenient and attractive results. This book is a great introduction to the art and science of meta-analysis, showing how research synthesis can give us 'big picture' answers to important practical questions.' James Thomas, University College London

Improving Learning centres on the findings from different areas of education-focused research that support evidence-informed teaching and contextualises these results to optimise decision-making in schools. It also describes the origins and principles of meta-analysis in education and how this identifies the successes in improving learning in classrooms. Moreover, it explains the thinking behind the 'Teaching and Learning Toolkit' and similar approaches, which seek a big-picture overview of research findings. The advantages and disadvantages of this approach are explored with practical examples. Additionally, it identifies the issues in using research evidence in education and the steps that can be taken to improve this. It is not a manual on how to conduct a meta-analysis; instead the focus is on developing understanding of the approach in order to present its strengths and weaknesses. This understanding can advance critical engagement and effective use to improve educational outcomes for children and young people.

Part I. Understanding Meta-Analysis and Meta-Synthesis: 1. Why meta-analysis?
2. A brief history of meta-analysis
3. Meta-synthesis in education: what can we compare?
4. The Teaching and Learning Toolkit
Part II. What's Made a Difference to Learning?: 5. Meta-analysis and pedagogy
6. Meta-analysis and literacy
7: Unpicking the evidence about parental involvement and engagement
8. Conclusions and final reflections.

Subject Areas: Educational psychology [JNC]