Mistake Busy

Do I Have Your Attention? Understanding Memory Constraints and Maximizing Learning (The Teacher CPD Academy) by Blake Harvard
Routledge, January 29, 2025

Blake Harvard’s Do I Have Your Attention? is a compelling, research-driven exposition on what it actually takes to engage students in meaningful learning by centering our understanding of attention. Blending just enough cognitive psychology with extensive classroom experience, Harvard argues that attention isn’t automatic. It must be earned and sustained through deliberate instructional design. The call to action is clear: let’s not mistake busy classrooms for effective ones. Artfully balancing theory and practice, this book is especially resonant for educators in independent schools, where autonomy meets high expectations and where we often have the freedom to shape our curriculum, but not always the tools to ensure that students are truly learning. Harvard challenges us to ask: Are we designing for learning or for distraction? Are we prioritizing novelty, or are we aligning our practices with how students actually retain and process information? Harvard’s work is a timely reminder that innovation isn’t always invention; it’s often thoughtful refinement of our practice. Individuals, teams, and campuses should consider this book as a springboard for professional conversations about attention, memory, and learning.