Learning theories (6th ed )

Written to inform students of the main principles, concepts, and research findings of key theories of learningespecially as they relate to educationand to provide applications of principles and concepts in settings where teaching and learning occur, this revised text blends theory, research, and applications throughout, providing its readers with a coherent and unified perspective on learning in educational settings. The primary emphasis is placed on cognitive theories that stress learners' constructions of beliefs, skills, strategies, and knowledge, but behavioral theories are also discussed in detail. Chapters have numerous applications of learning principles to applied settings including vignettes at the start of each chapter illustrating some of the principles discussed in the chapter, examples and applications throughout the chapters, and separate sections on instructional applications at the end of each chapter.

Key features of this revised text include: a new chapter on Self-Regulation (Chapter 9) core chapters on the neuroscience of learning (Chapter 2), constructivism (Chapter 6), cognitive learning processes (Chapter 7), motivation (Chapter 8), and development (Chapter 10) all related to teaching and learning updated sections on learning from technology and electronic media and how these advancements effectively promote learning in students (Chapters 7 & 10) detailed information on content-area learning and models of instruction to form coherence and connection between teaching and learning in different content areas, learning principles, and processes (Chapters 2-10) and over 140 new references on the latest theoretical ideas, research findings, and applications in the field. An essential resource for understanding key learning theoretical principles, concepts, and research findingsespecially as they relate to educationthis proven text blends theory, research, and applications throughout, providing its readers with a coherent and unified perspective on learning in educational settings.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Introduction to the Study of Learning

Learning Defined

Precursors of Modern Learning Theories

Learning theory and philosophy

Beginnings of the psychological study of learning

Structuralism and functionalism

Learning Theory and Research

Functions of theory

Conducting research

Assessment of Learning

Direct observations

Written responses

Oral responses

Ratings by others

Self-reports

Relation of Learning and Instruction

Historical perspective

Instructional commonalities

Integration of theory and practice

Critical Issues for Learning Theories

How does learning occur?

What is the role of memory?

What is the role of motivation?

How does transfer occur?

Which processes are involved in self-regulation?

What are the implications for instruction?

Three Learning Scenarios

Kathy Stone's third-grade class

Jim Marshall's U. S. History class

Gina Brown's educational psychology class

Summary

Further Reading

Chapter 2 Neuroscience of Learning

Organization and Structures

Neural organization

Brain structures

Localization and interconnections

Brain research methods

Neurophysiology of Learning

Information processing system

Memory networks

Language learning

Brain Development

Influential factors

Phases of development

Critical periods

Language development

Motivation and Emotions

Motivation

Emotions

Instructional Applications

Relevance of brain research

Educational issues

Brain-based educational practices

Summary

Further Reading

Chapter 3 Behaviorism

Connectionism

Trial-and-error...