James Nottingham - The Learning Challenge: How to Guide Your Students Through the Learning Pit to Achieve Deeper Understanding

by James Nottingham

I have witnessed first-hand in my own district, and in that of others, the power of the Learning Challenge in developing student ownership over their own learning. This book provides the blueprint for empowering students to plunge deep into the learning pit and have the mindset and tools necessary to make them climb out and back in again. This book gives students the understanding and permission to challenge prior knowledge, biases and misconceptions to substantially enhance learning. Im thrilled to see a book that guides students toward the voice and choice they need to advocate for their own learning and to choose the path less traveled by to benefit their learning and that of their peers.

Michael McDowell, EdD, Author, Rigorous PBL by Design

Superintendent, Ross School District

Ross, CA

James Nottingham provides educators with a practical way to get students to challenge their thinking, through questioning and dialogue. The Learning Challenge is jam-packed with ideas on how to take a simple concept and turn it into a full-blown learning experience.

Kelly Fitzgerald, Instructional Coach

Rouse High School Leander, TX

We all recognize that schooling is no longer about imparting information in the hope that it will be put to good use. We know good schooling is about providing students with continuous opportunities to develop the ability and practices to think deeply. Deep learning is hard work. It is complex, complicated and not particularly comfortable at times (see The Pit). In The Learning Challenge, Nottingham takes us through the four stages of the Learning Challenge, a framework for thinking and learning, in which students learn to step out of their comfort zone so that they can make meaning and connections in order to engage in deep thinking.

John Hattie states that 90% of what is taught in schools is at the surface level. That is not a comforting statistic. In The Learning Challenge, James Nottingham has provided us a clear path for engaging students in deep and meaningful learning complete with student-friendly language, stages and steps, examples, tools and tactics to guide us in engaging students in rigorous learning.

Barb Pitchford

Co-Author, Leading Impact Teams: Building a Culture of Efficacy

Aspen, CO

Research into how we learn has continued to highlight the value of desirable difficulties. Wrestling with big ideas, although uncomfortable at times, leads to stronger, deeper learning. However, in the age of accountability, classroom teachers are finding it difficult to set aside time for such wrestling in exchange for more test preparation. James Nottingham has provided a clear, concise and research-based approach to creating cognitively challenging classrooms that captivate, activate and invigorate learners. This book takes every reader through the learning pit, challenging their prior beliefs, and leads them to construct and consider a new and innovative way to promote stronger and deeper learning for their students.

John Almarode, Professor of Education

Co-Director of the Center for STEM Education and Outreach

James Madison University, College of Education

Harrisonburg, VA

In this era of rapid change, cognitive conflict is a constant challenge to be faced. James Nottinghams The Learning Challenge offers learners of all ages a place to be and a process to recognize and engage with. Offering young learners the opportunity to contend with the tension that goes with being in the Pit and think and talk about their own learning is immensely valuable. My experience, working with this concept, is that it works!

Simon Feasey, School Principal

Bader Primary School