"More than ever, the sheer magnitude of human knowledge renders its coverage by education an impossibility; rather, the goal of education is better conceived as helping students develop the intellectual tools and learning strategies needed to acquire the knowledge that allows people to think productively about history, science and technology, social phenomena, mathematics, and the arts. Fundamental understanding about subjects, including how to frame and ask meaningful questions about various subject areas, contributes to individuals' more basic understanding of principles of learning that can assist them in becoming self-sustaining, lifelong learners."
--John Bransford, et al., "How People Learn: Brain, Mind, Experience, and School"
Current research in learning theory is built upon the findings of cognitive science, which used a multidisciplinary approach to studying how people learn. New information about the brain, thinking, and the processes of learning suggest careful examination of what we teach, how we teach, and what we expect students to know and be able to do.
Key points from the current research include the following:
students come to school with pre-existing knowledge. Teachers must understand what students know or think they know so that this information can be corrected, if necessary, and built upon.
active learning -- in which students have opportunities for hands-on, individualized programs --is essential.
collaborative learning and communities of practice for students and teachers enhance learning and understanding of all subjects.
it is necessary that we rethink what is taught, how it is taught, and how it is assessed.
"real life work" is important--students must see the connections between what they do in school and what takes place in the rest of their lives.
schools and classrooms must be "learner centered"--attention must be paid to student preconceptions, cultural influences, and individual learning styles.
technology tools can enhance learning for teachers and students.
The findings of recent research reveal that the most effective schools are those where each student is viewed as an independent learner, where knowledge and assessment are highly valued, and where parents and community members participate in the life of the school.
In the following sections, you will see classrooms where the principles identified in "How People Learn" have been put into practice. Perhaps taking an inventory of how your school supports the latest research on thinking and learning will promote a review of current practices and help in the development of paths toward increased student achievement.
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