Leveraging the Learning Sciences

Leveraging the Research on Learning

Researchers in a variety of fields have made incredible discoveries about how people most effectively learn - comprehend, integrate, and transfer - information and skills. As educators, we can leverage this research on the science of learning to refine our teaching and enrich the learning activities we plan for students.

Because the vastness of this literature can be overwhelming, TeachingSupport@UMN offered a series of webinars in 2017-2018 to present four facets of student learning that serve as a starting place for exploring how learning science research and concrete teaching/learning strategies can inform your teaching:

Cognitive Load

How much is too much?

Resources

 

Motivation

How can goals, support, and inclusion influence students’ desire to learn?

Resources | Supporting Slide Deck Links to an external site.

 

Prior Knowledge

How do students’ misconceptions, assumptions and knowledge hinder their learning?

Resources

 

MetacognitionHow can students become “critical learners”?

Resources | Supporting Slide Deck Links to an external site.

 

These resources are brought to you by TeachingSuport@UMN, a collaboration between the Center for Educational Innovation, Academic Technology Support Services, the Libraries and the Disability Resource Center.