Talking Skills and Learning

Designed for communicators advocating for K12 reform, this course explores content from the Core Story of Education project, zeroing in on how and why to reframe the conversation about effective teaching and learning. Failing to establish frames that counter default beliefs about “the basics” or passive instruction can sink communications on a range of topics in education. This course outlines tested, reliable ways of setting up a more effective understanding of instruction, opening the way to more expansive conversations about education reform. Specific topics include: public perceptions about skills and learning; themes and frames to avoid on these issues; tested Values that build measurable support for instructional reforms; and Explanatory Metaphors that can catalyze a more productive, robust conversation on how to build an education system designed for the way children learn.

This course contains 12 learning modules and several interactive exercises. We typically suggest allowing 45 minutes to complete each learning module with additional time allowed for framing practice, and recommend a pace of completing a module per week.