Science of Learning
Scientific research over many decades has established some general principles of learning, including systematically identifying factors that lead to a greater learning in an equivalent amount of time. It is helpful to share the research on effective learning with your students. It is possible they haven’t learned these strategies before. The science of learning directly offers students researched strategies for studying, remembering, comprehending information, and with additional support, thinking critically. The research also offers instructors strategies to use while planning lessons and teaching students. Some of those are:
- Test/quiz frequently
- Activate prior knowledge
- Be aware of cognitive overload for students
- Teach with stories and case studies
- Give students frequent and timely feedback
- Teach students to ask “deep” questions
- Provide students with many opportunities to determine what they don’t yet know or understand (CATS)
- Vary levels of rigor and types of questions
- Integrate predicting, interleaving, connecting, practicing, elaborating, spacing, and metacognition into your instruction