In this episode, we welcome Dr. Carl Hendrick—educator, researcher, and co-author of How Learning Happens, How Teaching Happens, and Instructional Illusions. Carl shares his insights on the evolving educational landscape in Australia, the science of learning, and the myths that often mislead teachers and schools.
We explore key ideas from his books, including the “Engagement Illusion,” the importance of prior knowledge, and what is ‘learning’. Whether you're a teacher, school leader, or education enthusiast, this episode will challenge your assumptions and offer practical strategies for improving learning outcomes.
What You’ll Learn

Carl’s thoughts of the Catalyst program and educational innovation in Australia
How to support autonomy in learners
The role of prior knowledge in effective teaching
Why popular practices like “discovery learning” may harm learning outcomes
How strong teacher-student relationships impact learning
The difference between engagement and deep understanding
Where technology and AI fit into modern classrooms
How to foster creativity while maintaining cognitive rigor

Featured Books
How Learning Happens – Carl Hendrick & Paul Kirschner How Learning Happens: Seminal Works in Educational Psychology and What
How Teaching Happens – Carl Hendrick, Paul Kirschner & Jim Heal How Teaching Happens: Seminal Works in Teaching and Teacher Effectiven
Instructional Illusions – by Paul Kirschner (Author), Carl Hendrick (Author), Jim Heal (Author) Instructional Illusions | Hachette Learning
Links & Resources
Carl Hendrick’s Substack:The Learning Dispatch | Carl Hendrick | Substack
Learn more about the Catalyst program: Catalyst - Catholic Education Archdiocese of Canberra & Goulburn

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