High academic achievement comes at the cost of happiness

In her presentation at the RedefinED 2024 education forum, Professor Deborah Eyre addressed a key issue in modern education : the misconception that high academic achievement comes at the expense of student happiness.

On November 22, Nguyen Sieu School, Hanoi organized the RedefinED 2024 education forum with the theme "Welcoming change: Empowering confidence and happiness".

Professor Deborah Eyre is the founder and Chair of High Performance Learning (HPL) and a world-renowned educational leader. She was a lecturer at the University of Warwick and is currently based at St Hugh's College, University of Oxford.

With over 40 years of extensive research expertise in the learning sciences, she focuses on leveraging cognitive science to ensure every student achieves high academic achievement while developing the skills needed for future success.

Professor Deborah Eyre is currently working at St Hugh's College, Oxford University. Photo: NS

In her presentation at the RedefinED 2024 education forum, Professor Deborah Eyre addresses a key issue in modern education: the misconception that high academic achievement comes at the expense of student well-being. She challenges this view by offering evidence-based strategies and practices that help schools achieve both academic success and emotional resilience.

Drawing on research and real-world cases, including insights from the Hyper-Performance Learning (HPL) framework, she shows how holistic approaches can support students to excel academically without sacrificing their mental and emotional health.

In a survey, Professor Deborah Eyre asked teachers and parents the same multiple-choice question: "What percentage of students in your school are likely to achieve high results?" The four possible answers for survey respondents were: 36%, 57%, 83%, and 99%.

"Teachers chose 36%, students chose 57%, but the correct answer is 99%. We believe that any student can be trained to become a high achiever, if expected by teachers," affirmed Professor Deborah Eyre.

The RedefinED 2024 Education Forum with the theme "Welcoming Change: Empowering Confidence and Happiness" attracted a large number of educators to participate. Photo: NS

According to Professor Deborah Eyre, teaching includes 3 factors: What to teach, how to teach, and what expectations of students. In particular, she focuses on the 3rd factor. The effectiveness of what to teach and how to teach can only be achieved when teachers have the right expectations of their students.

From 40 years of teaching and research experience, Professor Deborah Eyre affirms that teachers' words have a strong impact on students' learning outcomes. Students who are praised by teachers will achieve more positive learning outcomes and vice versa. Teachers' praise and encouragement will help increase students' happiness and interest in learning, thereby making learning more effective.

HPL is not only a progressive educational philosophy but also a strong affirmation that every student can achieve high results if properly supported and placed in the right environment. Unlike other accreditation models, HPL focuses on developing personal capacity and qualities, emphasizing academic sustainability and mental health.

Master Nguyen Thi Minh Thuy, Principal of Nguyen Sieu School. Photo: NS

"The RedefinED Education Forum is not only a gathering place for educators, school administrators and policy makers, but also a space to discuss global education trends in the context of a constantly changing world. With the theme "Welcoming Change: Empowering Confidence and Happiness", the forum emphasizes the importance of confidence, critical thinking and mental health in preparing students for a limitless future", said Ms. Nguyen Thi Minh Thuy, Principal of Nguyen Sieu School.

Source: https://danviet.vn/giao-su-mat-hon-40-nam-de-chi-ra-quan-niem-sai-lam-thanh-tich-hoc-tap-cao-phai-tra-gia-bang-hanh-phuc-20241122185625219.htm