How Do We Learn?

A scientific approach to teaching in a way that helps students learn

In recent years, educators and researchers have been working together to bridge the gap between cognitive science and teaching practice. The scientific community is increasingly turning its attention toward the study of learning-in-context. At the same time, educators have welcomed practices supported by scientific evidence. This book offers an engaging synthesis of these efforts, describing—in accessible terms—important discoveries in cognitive science that shed light on teaching practice.

With scientific rigor and an emphasis on practical application, How Do We Learn? shows readers how to create optimal educational environments to promote student learning and knowledge retention. It covers cognitive mechanisms governing memory and learning, as well as socioemotional factors that influence motivation and student performance. Readers will also learn how they can modify teaching, feedback, and evaluation to be of the greatest benefit to students.

When students take responsibility for their own learning, they achieve at much higher rates, at all ages and across academic subjects. This book helps educators become familiar with the evidence-based principles that can be used to support students in this goal.