Brian Boyd

Professor Brian Boyd has worked in the Faculty of Education at the University of Strathclyde for 13 years after a career that saw him hold posts as headteacher, education officer and education adviser. He was a member of the Ministerial Review Group which produced the report ‘A Curriculum for Excellence’ in 2004. Brian is a co-founder of Tapestry, an organisation that promotes leading edge thinking about learning to Scotland.

Watch these videos

Creativity and stickability: Brian Boyd

Follow Brian Boyd as he outlines some of the concepts associated with creativity, including Carol Dweck's 'self theory'.

Permission to be creative: Brian Boyd

Explore Brian Boyd's views on creative thinking. He shares his thoughts on brainstorming, mind mapping and collaborative learning.

How are you intelligent?: Brian Boyd

Listen as Brian Boyd challenges the concept that intelligence is fixed and inherited. He reviews the work of Howard Gardner, including his recent publication 'Five Minds for the Future'.

Intelligence is not fixed: Brian Boyd

Hear Brian Boyd review the work of Howard Gardner and Reuven Feuerstein. He asserts that all young people have the ability to grow their intelligence and to become effective learners.

Interdisciplinary learning: Brian Boyd

Brian Boyd contrasts the strong emphasis that the traditional Scottish curriculum places on linguistic and logical intelligences with the broader vision of the Curriculum for Excellence.

The gender debate: Brian Boyd

Hear Brian Boyd outline some beliefs about gender differences in learning and also some possible myths. He reviews some of the approaches that schools have taken to address this issue.

The learning styles debate: Brian Boyd

Observe as Brian Boyd evaluates the contribution leaning styles theory has made to classroom practice. He also explores some of the potential drawbacks.

Handling failure: Brian Boyd

Listen as Brian Boyd discusses the importance of perseverance and explores ways in which young people can be taught to see failure as a positive aspect of learning and how teachers can help children grow.

A learning classroom: Brian Boyd

In this clip, Brian Boyd reviews some of the educational theories associated with effective learning and, in particular, the concept of flow.

Concentration and memory: Brian Boyd

Hear Brian Boyd outline some of the issues the arise from the emphasis that the curriculum and examination system places on the ability to recall knowledge and information from short-term memory.

Neuromyths: Brian Boyd

Hear Brian Boyd dismiss the notion of an independent left and right brain. He assesses the impact of the assumption within education, and asserts that all parts of the brain are used for learning.

Whole brain thinkers: Brian Boyd

Follow Brian Boyd as he reviews some of our current understandings about the brain and discusses how young people must become 'whole brain thinkers' in order to be effective learners.

How can I reflect on that?: Brian Boyd

Listen to Brian Boyd assess the importance of teaching young people metacognitive strategies in order to help them reflect on their learning and be fully engaged in their learning.