📖 Overview
Daisy Christodoulou is a British educator and author known for her influential work on assessment, education technology, and evidence-based teaching methods. She currently serves as Director of Education at No More Marking, a company that develops comparative judgment software for schools.
Her 2014 book "Seven Myths About Education" challenged prevailing educational orthodoxies and sparked significant debate within the teaching profession. The book critiqued discovery-based learning approaches and made a case for explicit instruction and knowledge-based curricula.
Christodoulou previously worked as Head of Assessment at Ark Schools and as a Research Fellow at the Policy Exchange think tank. She taught English in London secondary schools and was named "Young Teacher of the Year" in the 2007 Teaching Awards.
Her more recent work "Making Good Progress?: The Future of Assessment for Learning" (2017) examines assessment practices in schools and advocates for more effective approaches to measuring student achievement. She regularly contributes to educational discourse through speaking engagements, her blog, and social media platforms where she discusses education policy and practice.
👀 Reviews
Readers consistently praise Christodoulou's clear writing style and use of research evidence to challenge educational practices. "Seven Myths About Education" receives particular attention for its detailed analysis of teaching methods.
What readers liked:
- Research-backed arguments with specific examples
- Clear explanations of complex educational concepts
- Practical implications for classroom teaching
- Challenge to prevailing educational theories
What readers disliked:
- Some find tone too confrontational
- Critics say research citations are selective
- UK-centric examples limit global relevance
- Limited discussion of potential counterarguments
Ratings across platforms:
Goodreads: 4.3/5 (200+ ratings)
Amazon UK: 4.6/5 (100+ reviews)
Amazon US: 4.5/5 (50+ reviews)
One teacher reviewer noted: "Changed my entire approach to teaching after reading this." A critical review stated: "Makes valid points but oversimplifies progressive education methods."
"Making Good Progress?" receives similar ratings but fewer total reviews, with readers highlighting its practical assessment guidance.
📚 Books by Daisy Christodoulou
Seven Myths about Education (2014)
A detailed examination of common educational theories, challenging popular teaching methods while advocating for explicit instruction and knowledge-based curricula.
Making Good Progress?: The Future of Assessment for Learning (2017) An analysis of assessment practices in schools that explores how student progress is measured and proposes alternative approaches to evaluating learning outcomes.
Teachers vs Tech?: The Case for an Ed Tech Revolution (2020) An examination of education technology's role in teaching and learning, analyzing both its potential benefits and limitations in modern classrooms.
Making Good Progress?: The Future of Assessment for Learning (2017) An analysis of assessment practices in schools that explores how student progress is measured and proposes alternative approaches to evaluating learning outcomes.
Teachers vs Tech?: The Case for an Ed Tech Revolution (2020) An examination of education technology's role in teaching and learning, analyzing both its potential benefits and limitations in modern classrooms.
👥 Similar authors
E.D. Hirsch - His work on cultural literacy and the importance of knowledge-based curricula aligns closely with Christodoulou's educational philosophy. His books "Cultural Literacy" and "The Knowledge Deficit" examine how specific content knowledge impacts reading comprehension and academic success.
Daniel Willingham - His research focuses on the application of cognitive psychology to education, particularly how students learn and remember information. His book "Why Don't Students Like School?" explores the cognitive principles that should inform classroom teaching.
Tom Bennett - His work focuses on behavior management and evidence-based teaching practices in schools. His writings challenge popular educational myths and examine classroom management techniques through a research-based lens.
Paul Kirschner - His research examines instructional design and the science of learning, with particular focus on explicit instruction methods. His work "How Learning Happens" presents evidence against minimal guidance approaches and supports direct instruction.
Doug Lemov - His work documents specific teaching techniques that drive student achievement in classrooms. His book "Teach Like a Champion" provides concrete strategies for effective instruction based on observations of successful teachers.
Daniel Willingham - His research focuses on the application of cognitive psychology to education, particularly how students learn and remember information. His book "Why Don't Students Like School?" explores the cognitive principles that should inform classroom teaching.
Tom Bennett - His work focuses on behavior management and evidence-based teaching practices in schools. His writings challenge popular educational myths and examine classroom management techniques through a research-based lens.
Paul Kirschner - His research examines instructional design and the science of learning, with particular focus on explicit instruction methods. His work "How Learning Happens" presents evidence against minimal guidance approaches and supports direct instruction.
Doug Lemov - His work documents specific teaching techniques that drive student achievement in classrooms. His book "Teach Like a Champion" provides concrete strategies for effective instruction based on observations of successful teachers.