Rethinking classroom tech with Dr Jared Cooney Horvath

Neuroscientist and educator Dr Jared Cooney Horvath returns to Magnify Matters for a fast, practical check-in on what lifts learning from knowledge-rich curriculum and whole-class instruction to cutting through the noise on EdTech. In conversation with Tim Edwards (Catholic Education Sandhurst, Assistant Director: Learning & Teaching), Jared reflects on Sandhurst’s momentum since his three-day intensive earlier this year, and also previews his new book The Digital Delusion including that now-famous Hugh Grant blurb. Together, Tim and Jared explore: • What knowledge-rich, low-variance looks like in real classrooms • Why whole-class instruction builds empathy, synchrony and deeper understanding • How background knowledge speeds new learning and boosts creativity • Practical ways to align teachers, students and parents around the same learning language • Where EdTech helps, where it harms, and how to keep people at the centre • What’s next for Magnify Sandhurst in 2026. Whether you’re in the classroom or leading a school, this episode offers clear principles, memorable stories and next steps you can use tomorrow. Now join us as we magnify what truly matters in education. Mentioned in this episode • Magnify Sandhurst (https://www.ceosand.catholic.edu.au/l...) • Catholic Education Sandhurst (https://www.ceosand.catholic.edu.au/)   • LME Global (https://www.lmeglobal.net/) • The Digital Delusion (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G5622DQQ) ABOUT DR JARED COONEY HORVATH   Dr Jared Cooney Horvath is a cognitive neuroscientist and educator with expertise in human learning, memory, and brain stimulation. He is the co-founder of LME Global, a company dedicated to bringing the Science of Learning to schools and learning communities worldwide. Jared has published four books, including the bestseller 'Stop Talking, Start Influencing', and has been featured in The New York Times, WIRED, and The Economist. Jared is passionate about bridging the gap between laboratory research and classroom practice, helping teachers and students achieve better outcomes through applied brain science.   ABOUT MAGNIFY SANDHURST  Catholic Education Sandhurst rolled out Magnify Sandhurst, an evidence-informed, science of learning school improvement initiative, to its 51 Catholic schools across the Sandhurst Diocese at the beginning of 2025. Magnify Sandhurst focuses on how the brain learns, how literacy is effectively taught, uses a low variance, knowledge-rich curriculum and the creation of positive classrooms. Our practice is calm, predictable, and repeatable to maximise learning time in all classrooms. Magnify Sandhurst is deliberately bold and wide-ranging, generating whole-of-system improvement.   ABOUT CATHOLIC EDUCATION SANDHURST  Catholic Education Sandhurst is home to 51 Catholic schools across rural and regional Victoria, educating more than 15,490 students. We partner with schools, students and families to provide innovation and excellence in education, inspired by the Catholic story.  Visit www.ceosand.catholic.edu.au (https://www.ceosand.catholic.edu.au/) or follow us on Facebook (  / catholiceducationsandhurst  ) , Instagram (  / catholiceducationsandhurstltd  ) and LinkedIn (  / catholic-education-sandhurst  ) .