People learn in many different ways. Adaptive learning has sought to address differences in ability by targeting teaching practices. The use of adaptive models, ranging from technological programs to intelligent systems, can be used in […]
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Scaffolding
What is Scaffolding? Scaffolding in instruction is when a teacher supports students throughout the learning process. The instructor gradually introduces new ideas, building on each prior step and knowledge. As students learn new skills, they […]
Constructivist Learning Theory
The constructivist theory is based around the idea that learners are active participants in their learning journey; knowledge is constructed based on experiences. As events occur, each person reflects on their experience and incorporates the […]
Situated Learning Theory
Situated learning, also known as situated cognition, first emerged as an instructional model through the research of Paul Duguid, John Seely Brown, and Allan Collins. Their paper, titled “Situated Cognition and the Culture of Learning” […]
Anchored Instruction Model
While there have been many contributors to the paradigm of anchored instruction, John Bransford is considered the leader of this framework. Through the Cognition & Technology Group at Vanderbilt University, he facilitated the idea of […]
Cognitive Apprenticeship
Apprenticeship is an ancient idea; skills have been taught by others for centuries. In the past, elders worked alongside their children to teach them how to grow food, wash their clothes, build homes and speak […]
WebQuest: An Inquiry-oriented Approach in Learning
The rise in online learning brings renewed interest in WebQuests. As an authentic, scaffolded, and inquiry-based activity, a WebQuest is an educational superstar. It utilizes essential resources and captures the attention of the students. Not […]
Erikson’s Stages of Psychosocial Development
In 1950, Erik Erikson released his book, Childhood and Society, which outlined his now prominent Theory of Psychosocial Development. His theory comprises of 8 stages that a healthy individual passes through in his lifetime, each […]
Gagne’s Nine Events of Instruction
Heralded as a pioneer in educational instruction, Robert M. Gagné revolutionized instructional design principles with his WW II-era systematic approach, often referred to as the Gagné Assumption. The general idea, which seems familiar today, is […]
Kolb’s Experiential Learning Theory & Learning Styles
The humanistic and constructivist approaches to education, which emphasize that learning occurs naturally, include David Kolb’s Theory of Experiential Learning. Kolb proposed that experience was critical in the development of knowledge construction, as learning occurs […]
Theory of Multiple Intelligences – Gardner
The Theory of Multiple Intelligences was first presented in 1983 by Howard Gardner, a psychologist, when he published his book Frames of Mind. He declared that learning occurred through many types of intelligences, and that […]
Robert Gagné’s Taxonomy of Learning
Gagne classified learning outcomes into five major categories: verbal information, intellectual skills, cognitive strategies, motor skills and attitudes. What is learning to Gagné? As outlined in his 9-events of instruction, Gagne believed that learning was ongoing and […]
Bloom’s Taxonomy
Together with Edward Gurst, David Krathwohl, Max Englehart and Walter Hill, psychologist Benjamin Bloom released Taxonomy of Educational Objectives in 1956. This framework would prove to be valuable to teachers and instructors everywhere as it […]
How to Create Effective Multiple Choice Questions
There are many advantages to using multiple choice (MC) questions as an evaluation / assessment strategy. They are easy to set up, easy to mark, and allow teachers to cover a wide range of topics. […]
Formative and Summative Assessment
Definition of formative and summative assessment and what is the difference between them? Assessments allow both teacher and student to (a) monitor progress towards achieving learning objectives (b) improve the teaching and learning progress. As […]