Learning Theory
a very brief overview....
stay tuned for the next few weeks when we’ll
cover these topics in greater detail!

Today’s agenda:
Active learning *
Problem based learning *
Inquiry based learning *
Service learning
Conversation theory

Active Learning

We’re doing a case study!

Active learning is an umbrella term that
refers to several models of instruction
that focus the responsibility of learning
on learners.

Class Discussion
Debate
Role playing
Short written exercise

Problem Based
Learning

You want to convey a skill. Work with a
partner on a problem-based scenario and
how you would assess their success.
Scholarly vs.
Information
popular
timeline
Citations
Boolean &/or
Tructation
Copyright/
Plagiarism
LC Call
number order

Problem-based learning (PBL) is a
student-centered instructional strategy
in which students collaboratively solve
problems and reflect on their experiences.

Learning is driven by challenging,
open-ended problems.
Students in small collaborative groups.
Teachers as facilitators.

Inquiry Based
Learning

Inquiry-based learning’s core premises
include the requirement that learning
should be based around student's
questions and new knowledge should be
built based on previous information.

Emphasizes constructivist ideas of
learning.
Learning proceeds best in group
situations.
Teacher does not communicate
knowledge, but facilitates.
Topic, problem to be studied, and
methods used to answer this problem are
determined by the student and not the
teacher.

Given what you know of educational
theory so far, and Inquiry Guided
Instruction, what are the reasons you
might be inclined to use Inquiry Guided
Instruction? How might you incorporate
this into your teaching? (How) Would
your active learning incorporate
Inquiry Guided Instruction principles?

Service Learning

Think of a time you were involved in a
service (or other) project....

Service-learning is a method of
teaching, learning and reflecting that
combines academic classroom
curriculum with meaningful service
and reflection.

Content Service
Reflection
Service
Learning

Conversation Theory

At this point we’ve covered a number of
different concepts. Let’s take a minute to
discuss the relationships between them.

Conversation Theory is a framework that
explains how interactions lead to
\"construction of knowledge.\"

A focus on the relationships among the
concepts.
Explicit explanation or manipulation of
the subject (e.g., use of teachback)
Individual's differ in their preferred
manner of learning relationships
(serialists versus holists).

Today’s agenda:
Active learning *
Problem based learning *
Inquiry based learning *
Service learning
Conversation theory

Questions?