What Works and What Doesn't

In reviewing some of John Hattie's research, I was surprised to find some of the results as they are in direct contrast to what many would consider to be good teaching methodology.  The most surprising to me were "student control over learning .04" and "direct instruction .59"  In my own experience in my classroom, student behavior is better when the student are engaged in their own learning.  When I am giving direct instructions, students tend to phase out a little.  This finding really surprised me.  I suppose that it could be so if like Hattie's research suggests that "student centered teaching is easy to do, but difficult to do well" and that the results of this survey would be skewed by teachers who are comfortable with student directed learning vs. teachers who are not as comfortable.    I was pleased to find more evidence in support of my creativity curriculum with "creativity programs .65"