Science of Reading Essentials: The Science of learning

Science of Reading: The Podcast

On this Science of Reading Essentials episode we're diving into the science of learning to explore how memory, cognitive load, and knowledge building can transform your literacy instruction. Host Susan Lambert, Ed.D., weaves in the insights of our experts—Natalie Wexler; Nathaniel Swain, Ph.D.; Hugh Catts, Ph.D.; Daniel Willingham, Ph.D.; Peter C. Brown; Jamey Peavler, Ed.D.; and David Rapp, Ph.D. Susan reflects on: how memory works and why understanding its processes is foundational to effective teaching; why cognitive load theory and background knowledge are game-changers for literacy instruction; evidence-based strategies that make learning stick.

Show notes:

Quotes:

"Memory is a cognitive process. It's the way the brain encodes, stores, and retrieves information." —Susan Lambert

Timestamps*:
0:00 Introduction
05:00 Memory is a cognitive process
07:00 Cognitive load theory
10:00 Role of long-term memory for reading
15:00 Process of building knowledge in long-term memory
21:00 You can't learn something new if it doesn't connect to something you already know.
24:00 Applying learning science to the literacy classroom
30:00 Power of writing
31:00 Final advice
*Timestamps are approximate

More description

On this Science of Reading Essentials episode we're diving into the science of learning to explore how memory, cognitive load, and knowledge building can transform your literacy instruction. Host Susan Lambert, Ed.D., weaves in the insights of our experts—Natalie Wexler; Nathaniel Swain, Ph.D.; Hugh Catts, Ph.D.; Daniel Willingham, Ph.D.; Peter C. Brown; Jamey Peavler, Ed.D.; and David Rapp, Ph.D. Susan reflects on: how memory works and why understanding its processes is foundational to effective teaching; why cognitive load theory and background knowledge are game-changers for literacy instruction; evidence-based strategies that make learning stick.

Show notes:

Quotes:

"Memory is a cognitive process. It's the way the brain encodes, stores, and retrieves information." —Susan Lambert

Timestamps*:
0:00 Introduction
05:00 Memory is a cognitive process
07:00 Cognitive load theory
10:00 Role of long-term memory for reading
15:00 Process of building knowledge in long-term memory
21:00 You can't learn something new if it doesn't connect to something you already know.
24:00 Applying learning science to the literacy classroom
30:00 Power of writing
31:00 Final advice
*Timestamps are approximate

2026-05-20 33 min Transcript
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