Publisher's Synopsis
The aim of this handbook is to bring under one umbrella, Learning and Learning Theories that have evolved over the years, and factors that influence Learning, especially in the classroom. The purpose of this handbook is to assist teachers and education students to have a clear understanding of the dynamics of classroom learning, and how to apply it to their individual contexts as teachers, education students and counselors. Over 80% of formal learning is done in the classroom. In order for the child to fully benefit from classroom learning, biological, environmental, physiological, psychological and social factors are paramount to his/her ability to achieve the desired academic and educational goals. The human diversity, bio/psycho/physiological characteristics of each individual learner and how to optimize the learning experience, makes learning in the classroom a great challenge indeed for all stakeholders. One has made an effort in the book to show how the following factors play a major part in classroom instruction and learning: - Learning takes place in various ways, and that having a broad spectrum of theoretical knowledge for use in the classroom, is at the core of good classroom instruction. - The concept of readiness for learning illustrates how developmental pathways - including physical, cognitive and linguistic - all play a part in students' learning. - Prior knowledge, expectations, context, and practice affect processing and using information and making connections in the process of learning. - Students have learning skills that differ in significant ways. - One can effectively approach multiple intelligences in the classroom to include students with special needs. - Teachers can create an emotionally safe classroom to foster learning and deal effectively with emotions and conflicts that can be obstacles; how teachers can increase their cultural awareness and sensitivity, so that they can help students to create connections, access prior knowledge and experience and develop competence. - Teachers can create social health in the classroom to foster learning through interaction and communication among students, thus assisting students to develop expertise and accomplish complex tasks through modelling, assisted performance, scaffolding, coaching and feedback. - The application of constructivism in the acquisition of knowledge helps students to develop critical thinking, learn difficult concepts effectively, manage their own learning, use knowledge and skills learned and apply them to a novel situation, thus increasing the possibilities of transfer. - An effective teacher uses organization of knowledge and understanding to influence learning, by having good lesson plans and study guides. - Students with special needs, can be identified and assisted through an Individual Educational Program (IEP), and profit from the learning experience in the classroom and achieve significant academic success. - Teachers can motivate their students by helping them to be self-confident, and by supporting their drive for mastery and understanding, and assisting them to focus and engage in the learning process. This book is written in simple easy to read manner. Effort has been made to be as current in literature as possible. The aim of this book is not to define Learning, or rewrite theories, but to show how various types of learning and learning theories can be used to improve learning in the classroom. The book consists of eight chapters to progressively educate the reader on all aspects of effective learning in today's classroom. At the end of each chapter are revision questions.
