Unlocking Student Talent: The New Science of Developing Expertise

How do we truly help all students achieve their fullest potential? What are the roles of motivation, deliberate practice, and coaching in developing talent and abilities in students? This hands-on guide examines each of these elements in detail providing definitions, relevant research, discussions, examples, and practical steps to take with students in elementary, middle, and high school. The authors examine cutting-edge research on world-class performance and distill information specifically for educators. Offering guidelines to help teachers spot and encourage all students’ exceptional aptitudes, passionate interests, and special strengths, they show concretely how to promote greater motivation for learning and success. This foundational book infuses new ideas into established teaching. User-friendly chapters include thought-provoking insights, vignettes of how notable talents were developed, teaching and learning tips, grade-level examples, and discussion questions.

Book Features:

• Offers practical versions of ideas that impact instruction: motivation, practice, and coaching.
• Examines how “the brain learns deeply,” including emergent brain science on myelin and its contribution to memory, learning, and automaticity.
• Illuminates findings that question the “10,000 Hour Rule” about becoming an expert.
• Explores the important differences between practice and “deliberate practice” in the classroom.
• Explains research findings on the motivational factors that impact student learning and expertise.
• Highlights the role and features of the most effective formative assessment.
• Addresses the “Is Talent Born or Made?” question and elaborates with actions educators can take.
• Guides teachers in unlocking their students’ talent and helping them reach their true potential.

Robin J. Fogarty is president of Robin Fogarty & Associates, a Florida-based educational consulting company. Dr. Fogarty has trained educators throughout the world in curriculum, instruction, and assessment strategies. Gene M. Kerns is chief academic officer of Renaissance Learning, Inc. and a leading authority on the educational standards in the United States and United Kingdom, learning progressions, and formative assessment. Brian M. Pete is cofounder and CEO of Robin Fogarty & Associates and an international professional developer with extensive work over the past 18 years with adult learners.