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 movies

Creativity and stickability - Brian Boyd

The focus of this perspective movie is the nature of creativity. Brian Boyd outlines some of the associated concepts including Carol Dweck's self theory.

Permission to be creative - Brian Boyd

The focus of this perspective movie is how schools can foster creative thinking. Brian Boyd outlines some of the associated concepts including brainstorming, mind mapping and collaborative learning.

How are you intelligent? - Brian Boyd

The focus of this perspective movie is the nature of intelligence. Brian Boyd outlines some of the associated concepts and he 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

The focus of this perspective movie is the nature of intelligence. Brian Boyd reviews the work of Howard Gardner and Reuven Feuerstein in challenging the belief that human intelligence is fixed. He asserts that all young people have the ability to grow their intelligence and to become effective learners.

Interdisciplinary learning - Brian Boyd

The focus of this perspective movie is intelligence. 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, which promotes interdisciplinary learning and transfer of understanding.

The gender debate - Brian Boyd

The focus of this perspective movie is the differences in educational attainment between boys and girls. Brian Boyd outlines some of the underlying 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

The focus of this perspective movie is the extent to which the theory of learning styles has practical application within the classroom. Brian Boyd evaluates the contribution leaning styles theory has made to classroom practice as well as some of the potential drawbacks.

Handling failure - Brian Boyd

The focus of this perspective movie is how learners can be taught to view failure as a positive aspect of learning. Brian Boyd explores ways in which young people can be taught to cope with failure the importance of perseverance.

A learning classroom - Brian Boyd

This perspective movie focuses on the key elements that create an environment for learning. Brian Boyd reviews some of the educational theories associated with effective learning and, in particular, the concept of flow.

Concentration and memory - Brian Boyd

The focus of this perspective movie is the relationship between concentration, memory and learning. Brian Boyd outlines some of the issues arising 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

The focus of this perspective movie is one of the myths about the human brain - that there are two sides, left and right brain, which operate independently. Brian Boyd assesses the impact that this assumption has had within education, whilst promoting the view that, when learning is taking place, all parts of the brain are firing.

Whole brain thinkers - Brian Boyd

The focus of this perspective movie is how neuroscience is shaping our understanding of the learning brain. Brian Boyd reviews some of our current understandings and how young people must become whole brain thinkers in order to become effective learners.

How can I reflect on that? - Brian Boyd

The focus of this perspective movie is metacognition. Brian Boyd assesses the importance of teaching young people metacognitive strategies to help them reflect on their learning and prepare them to become lifelong learners.