The End of Average by Todd Rose: Book Overview & Takeaways

A young woman reading a book outside a building.

Have you been told that you’re average? How useful is it to use averages as a measure? What harm does it do? We’re so accustomed to using averages that we neglect to question whether they’re actually useful. The End of Average by Todd Rose argues that, when we use averages to judge people, we typically arrive at inaccurate and harmful conclusions. Continue reading for an overview of this book that will have you looking at yourself and everyone else in a new way.

Managing Student Behavior in the Classroom: 2 Approaches

An upset teacher trying to manage student behavior in the classroom.

Do you have students who are difficult to manage? Are you looking for ways to get their behavior under control? Managing student behavior in the classroom is essential if you want to maximize the learning experience and potential of all students. One school of thought is that you should focus on the external environment, while another is that you should look to the internal causes of misbehavior. Keep reading to learn about these approaches and determine whether one (or a combination of the two) might work in your classroom.

What’s Wrong With the Education System? 3 Ways It Fails

A giant "F" written on a chalkboard in a classroom.

What’s wrong with the education system? Why is it failing to truly educate students? In The End of Average, Todd Rose says that judging individuals in comparison to the average has caused damage to the modern education system. Rather than give each student what they individually need to learn the most, we give them a standardized experience that forces them to conform or fail. Let’s discuss three ways that schools fail to treat students as unique individuals, consequently limiting their potential.

The Experience vs. Education Debate: Hire People, Not Diplomas

Two cartoon men at podiums representing the experience vs. education debate.

What’s wrong with current hiring practices? Why are many qualified people getting rejected? Todd Rose wades into the experience vs. education debate in his book The End of Average. He argues that skills outweigh degrees, and he advocates for an emphasis on credentials rather than diplomas in today’s workplace. Continue reading to understand Rose’s argument, and consider how it stacks up to your own experience and observation.

Why Asking Questions Is Important: 6 Reasons to Be Curious

A man thinking and wondering in front of a city.

Why is asking questions important? What are some ways to ask questions without overwhelming your conversation partner? If people never asked questions, we’d likely never make breakthroughs. On a smaller scale, questions open opportunities for further discussion that’ll teach you more about other people. Read more about why asking questions is important, from learning new things to avoiding assumptions.

Is the 10,000-Hour Rule True? It Depends on Your Goal

Is the 10,000-Hour Rule True? It Depends on Your Goal

Is the 10,000-hour rule true? How long does it really take to become proficient in a skill? There’s a notion going around that you must invest 10,000 hours of practice if you want to adopt a new skill. But, that’s not quite the way it is. In The First 20 Hours, skill acquisition expert Josh Kaufman sets the record straight. Read more to learn the truth about the 10,000-hour rule.

The 3 Stages of Learning a Skill—and the Science Behind It

The 3 Stages of Learning a Skill—and the Science Behind It

What’s going on in your brain when you learn a skill? What stages do you go through? According to neuroscience research, you can improve any skill through practice because your brain is designed to learn and grow. During the skill acquisition process, you progress through the phases of cognition, association, and autonomy. Keep reading to understand these stages of learning a skill and the science that makes this growth possible.

What Skill Do You Want to Learn? How to Take the First Step

What Skill Do You Want to Learn? How to Take the First Step

What skill do you want to learn? How should you go about choosing among the countless options? Skill acquisition expert Josh Kaufman provides a step-by-step process for mastering the basics of any new skill with only 20 hours of practice. His system favors efficiency, so the first step is to choose a skill wisely and then attach a specific goal to it. Continue reading to learn how to take the first step toward learning a new skill in a way that sets you up for success.

How to Prepare to Learn a New Skill: 5 Tips for Efficiency

How to Prepare to Learn a New Skill: 5 Tips for Efficiency

If you want to learn a new skill, should you just dive in? How can you maximize your chances for success and keep from squandering resources? Once you’ve chosen a new skill to learn, Josh Kaufman suggests you conduct research to learn about the skill and prepare what you need to practice it. Acquiring knowledge and information about the skill beforehand allows you to practice smarter and avoid wasting time and energy on ineffective techniques. Read on for Kaufman’s advice on how to prepare to learn a new skill before you start practicing.