Learning Theory & Classroom Strategies

Identifying the Gap: How Learning Theory Affects Classroom Strategies

Session Description

How does learning theory apply to the college classroom? How does understanding the learning process impact how instructors develop and implement their course and strategies for teaching? Much has been uncovered with regard to the learning process and successful classroom strategies for teaching, yet often a gap exists in bringing these two fields of research together in practical ways to improve teaching. We will explore some ways to "bridge the gap" by identifying both known principles of learning and strategies for applying them in the classroom to enhance the learning process.

Objectives

At the completion of the session, you will be able to:

• Identify key findings from learning theory that can inform approaches to classroom teaching
• Explore strategies for translating the findings of learning theory into effective classroom strategies
• Using what we know about learning theory, describe one to two instructional technologies that can assist faculty in fostering an effective learning climate

Presenter Bios

Dr. Marie Kendall Brown is assistant director for teaching and learning at the Delphi Center. Dr. Kendall Brown's research focuses on faculty learning and development, teaching and learning topics in STEM, and college student development from a constructive-developmental perspective.

Dr. Roy Fuller is the 2012-13 part-time faculty fellow at the Delphi Center for Teaching and Learning. Dr. Fuller brings to the Delphi Center over twenty years of teaching experience at numerous institutions, including his ongoing teaching for UofL in the Division of Humanities where he offers courses in Religious Studies.