What If?

Too often, proposals to 'improve learning' are either impractical in the classroom setting or else not substantiated by rigorous research. This book offers both practical learning strategies and a solid base of research. If you are serious about improving teaching and learning in classroom settings, this is the book to keep on your desk. Finally we have a reference that describes opportunities for improving instruction and providing the professional knowledge and techniques to fulfill these opportunities. -- Scott Thomson, executive director emeritus, National Association of Secondary School Principals
After four decades of prize-winning research, Rita Dunn and her colleagues are reaching out to communities at large, newspaper editors, parents, politicians, and anyone who remains concerned with quality education to become proactive advocates for teaching students in ways appropriate to how they learn and not as if one size fits all! This book details how to improve schooling K-adult without much cost. Anyone with children or grandchildren in school should bring this book to the attention of school boards and curriculum directors everywhere! -- Marsha Rudman, Ed.D., professor, School of Education, University of Massachusetts
Dunn and Griggs have synthesized 40 years of powerful research into useful, hands-on information that enables readers to imagine 'what if' as they grapple with current educational issues. It is a readable, sensible guide for educators, business leaders, and parents, providing concrete suggestions on how to maximize an individual's unique learning style for improved achievement and performance at all levels. -- Mary Ellen Freeley, Ed.D., superintendent of schools, Malverne, New York, and past president, ASCD
Dunn and Griggs bring together 26 chapters on student, school, and societal issues that can help improve schooling. In this book, they provide educators, average citizens, legislators, parents, and politicians with suggestions for teaching the core curriculum more effectively for students with different learning styles and abilities. The brief chapters examine the idea of a student bill of rights, retention, honor codes, at-risk, students, college students, and instruction designed for differing achievement levels or a child's best time of day. Other questions considered are gender groupings, school violence, removing clocks and bells, parents helping children to study, and academics in education from the US. * Reference and Research Book News *
This book is a roadmap for changing school, college, and business practices to make them increasingly responsive to individuals' learning and productivity styles. Dunn and Griggs challenge educators, employers, foundation boards, lawyers, parents, and politicians to improve academic achievement and attitudes toward school based on valid experimental research findings. -- Reverend Donald J. Harrington, C.M., president, St. John's University, New York