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(Continued from front fl ap) Praise for How Learning Works foster it. This vital resource is grounded Ambrose in learning theory and based on research Bridges evidence, while being easy to understand and “ How Learning Works is the perfect title for this excellent book. Drawing upon new apply to college teaching. research in psychology, education, and cognitive science, the authors have demystifi ed DiPietro a complex topic into clear explanations of seven powerful learning principles. Full of Lovett great ideas and practical suggestions, all based on solid research evidence, this book is essential reading for instructors at all levels who wish to improve their students’ Norman Susan A. Ambrose is associate provost for learning.” education, director of the Eberly Center — Barbara Gross Davis, assistant vice chancellor for educational development, University of HOW LEARNING WORKS for Teaching Excellence, and teaching Seven Research-Based Principles California, Berkeley, and author, Tools for Teaching Any conversation about effective teaching professor in the Department of History at must begin with a consideration of how Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, “ This book is a must-read for every instructor, new or experienced. Although I have been students learn. However, instructors may fi nd Pennsylvania. teaching for almost thirty years, as I read this book I found myself resonating with many a gap between resources that focus on the of its ideas, and I discovered new ways of thinking about teaching.” technical research on learning and those that Michael W. Bridges is director of faculty — Eugenia T. Paulus, professor of chemistry, North Hennepin Community College, and 2008 U.S. provide practical classroom strategies. How development at UPMC St. Margaret Hospital Community Colleges Professor of the Year from The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Learning Works provides the bridge for such in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Teaching and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education a gap. Michele DiPietro is associate director for “ Thank you Carnegie Mellon for making accessible what has previously been In this volume, the authors introduce seven graduate programs at the Eberly Center and inaccessible to those of us who are not learning scientists. Your focus on the essence general principles of learning, distilled from instructor in the Department of Statistics at of learning combined with concrete examples of the daily challenges of teaching and the research literature as well as from Carnegie Mellon. clear tactical strategies for faculty to consider is a welcome work. I will recommend this twenty-seven years of experience working book to all my colleagues.” one-on-one with college faculty. They have Marsha C. Lovett is associate director for — Catherine M. Casserly, senior partner, The Carnegie Foundation for the drawn on research from a breadth of perspec- faculty development at the Eberly Center Advancement of Teaching tives (cognitive, developmental, and social and associate teaching professor in the for psychology; educational research; anthro- pology; demographics; and organizational Department of Psychology at Carnegie Smart Teaching Mellon. “ As you read about each of the seven basic learning principles in this book, you will behavior) to identify a set of key principles fi nd advice that is grounded in learning theory, based on research evidence, relevant to underlying learning—from how effective college teaching, and easy to understand. The authors have extensive knowledge and Research-Based Principles Marie K. Norman is a teaching consultant organization enhances retrieval and use experience in applying the science of learning to college teaching, and they graciously and research associate at the Eberly Center 7 of information to what impacts motivation. share it with you in this organized and readable book.” and adjunct professor of anthropology at for Smart Teaching These principles provide instructors with an — From the Foreword by Richard E. Mayer, professor of psychology, University of California, Santa understanding of student learning that can Carnegie Mellon. Barbara; coauthor, e-Learning and the Science of Instruction; and author, Multimedia Learning help them see why certain teaching approach- The Eberly Center for Teaching es are or are not supporting student learning, Excellence at Carnegie Mellon University generate or refi ne teaching approaches and was created in 1982 with a mission to distill strategies that more effectively foster student learning in specifi c contexts, and transfer and the research on learning for faculty and EDUCATION/HIGHER Susan A. Ambrose graduate students and to collaborate with apply these principles to new courses. them to design and implement meaningful Michael W. Bridges | Michele DiPietro For anyone who wants to improve his or her educational experiences. The center’s work www.josseybass.com students’ learning, it is crucial to understand is based on the idea that combining the Marsha C. Lovett | Marie K. Norman how that learning works and how to best science and art of teaching empowers college faculty to create the conditions for students to learn and, through this Jacket design byJudy Brooks and Michael Cook FOREWORD BY RICHARD E. MAYER (Continued on back fl ap) learning, transform their world. How Learning Works How Learning Works Seven Research-Based Principles for Smart Teaching Susan A. Ambrose, Michael W. Bridges, Michele DiPietro, Marsha C. Lovett, Marie K. Norman Foreword by Richard E. Mayer Copyright © 2010 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved. Published by Jossey-Bass A Wiley Imprint 989 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94103-1741—www.josseybass.com The book is based on the seven “Theory and Research-based Principles of Learning,” which are used with permission of Carnegie Mellon University’s Eberly Center for Teaching Excellence. Figures created by Judy Brooks. 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Jossey-Bass also publishes its books in a variety of electronic formats. Some content that appears in print may not be available in electronic books. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data How learning works : seven research-based principles for smart teaching / Susan A. Ambrose . [et al.] ; foreword by Richard E. Mayer. – 1st ed. p. cm. – (The Jossey-Bass higher and adult education series) Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-0-470-48410-4 (cloth) 1. Effective teaching–Case studies. 2. Educational innovations–Case studies. 3. School improvement programs–Case studies. 4. Learning, Psychology of–Case studies. I. Ambrose, Susan A. II. Title: Seven research-based principles for smart teaching. LB1025.3.H68 2010 371.102–dc22 2010003939 Printed in the United States of America FIRST EDITION HB Printing 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 THE JOSSEY BASS HIGHER AND ADULT EDUCATION SERIES CONTENTS List of Figures, Tables, and Exhibits ix Foreword xiii Richard E. Mayer Acknowledgments xvii About the Authors xix Introduction Bridging Learning Research and Teaching Practice 1 1 How Does Students’ Prior Knowledge Affect Their Learning? 10 2 How Does the Way Students Organize Knowledge Affect Their Learning? 40 3 What Factors Motivate Students to Learn? 66 4 How Do Students Develop Mastery? 91 5 What Kinds of Practice and Feedback Enhance Learning? 121 6 Why Do Student Development and Course Climate Matter for Student Learning? 153 7 How Do Students Become Self-Directed Learners? 188 Conclusion Applying the Seven Principles to Ourselves 217 vii Contents Appendices Appendix A What Is Student Self-Assessment and How Can We Use It? 225 Appendix B What Are Concept Maps and How Can We Use Them? 228 Appendix C What Are Rubrics and How Can We Use Them? 231 Appendix D What Are Learning Objectives and How Can We Use Them? 244 Appendix E What Are Ground Rules and How Can We Use Them? 248 Appendix F What Are Exam Wrappers and How Can We Use Them? 251 Appendix G What Are Checklists and How Can We Use Them? 255 Appendix H What Is Reader Response/Peer Review and How Can We Use It? 257 References 261 Name Index 285 Subject Index 291 viii LIST OF FIGURES, TABLES, AND EXHIBITS Figures Figure 1.1.