LEARNER CENTERED PSYCHOLOGICAL PRINCIPLES

Summary

The video script advocates for a learner-centered approach to education reform, emphasizing 14 psychological principles that enhance learning effectiveness. It discusses the importance of intentional learning, goal setting, knowledge construction, strategic thinking, metacognition, contextual influences, motivation, intrinsic motivation, developmental and social influences, individual differences, and effective assessment. These principles aim to improve educational practices and foster a positive learning environment for all stakeholders.

Takeaways

• 📚 Psychology has historically provided crucial insights into the design of schooling, emphasizing the importance of understanding human learning, development, and motivation.
• 🌟 Advances in psychology over the past decade have significantly contributed to the understanding of cognitive and motivational processes, which are vital for improving teaching and learning.
• 🎓 There is a growing call for learner-centered models of schooling that recognize and utilize the diversity among students to enrich the learning experience.
• 🔧 Learner-centered psychological principles are widely shared and recognized in many excellent educational programs, integrating research from various areas of psychology.
• 🧠 The 14 psychological principles outlined in the script focus on the learner and the learning process, addressing cognitive, metacognitive, motivational, developmental, social, and individual difference factors.
• 🏛 The principles are designed to be holistic, considering learners in the context of real-world learning situations, and should not be viewed in isolation.
• 📈 Learning is most effective when it is an intentional process of constructing meaning from information and experience, with successful learners being active, self-regulating, and goal-directed.
• 🎯 Successful learners create meaningful, coherent representations of knowledge and pursue personally relevant goals, which are refined over time with guidance and support.
• 🔗 Knowledge construction involves linking new information with existing knowledge in meaningful ways, with educators assisting learners in integrating new knowledge effectively.
• 🤔 Strategic thinking and metacognitive strategies are essential for learners to achieve complex learning goals, with educators playing a role in developing these higher-order skills.
• 🌐 The context of learning, including environmental factors like culture and technology, influences the learning process, necessitating an interactive role between teachers and the learning environment.
• 💡 Motivation and emotional influences are key determinants of what and how much is learned, with intrinsic motivation being particularly stimulated by tasks that are novel, relevant, and provide a sense of control.

Q & A

What role has psychology played in the design of schooling throughout history?

Psychology has provided vital information for the design of schooling, based on theory and research on human learning, development, and motivation, contributing directly to improvements in teaching, learning, and the overall enterprise of schooling.

Why are educators advocating for more learner-centered models of schooling?

Educators are advocating for learner-centered models to address growing problems such as school dropout, low academic achievement, and other indicators of school failure. These models attend to the diversity among students and use this diversity to enrich learning.

How do learner-centered psychological principles integrate research and practice in various areas of psychology?

These principles integrate research and practice in developmental, educational, experimental, social, clinical, organizational, community, and school psychology, reflecting both conventional and scientific wisdom.

What does the first psychological principle regarding the nature of the learning process emphasize?

The first principle emphasizes that learning complex subject matter is most effective when it is an intentional process of constructing meaning from information and experience, with successful learners being active, goal-directed, and self-regulating.

What is the importance of setting meaningful learning goals according to the second principle?

Meaningful learning goals are important as they help students to construct useful representations of knowledge and acquire thinking and learning strategies necessary for continued learning success across the lifespan.

How does the construction of knowledge, as mentioned in the third principle, contribute to learning?

The construction of knowledge involves linking new information with existing knowledge in meaningful ways, which allows knowledge to widen and deepen, and helps in integrating new information for effective use in new tasks and situations.

What is strategic thinking and why is it important for successful learning according to the fourth principle?

Strategic thinking involves creating and using a repertoire of thinking and reasoning strategies to achieve complex learning goals. It is important because it helps learners to reach their learning and performance goals and apply their knowledge in novel situations.

How do higher order strategies, such as metacognitive strategies, facilitate creative and critical thinking according to the fifth principle?

Higher order strategies facilitate creative and critical thinking by allowing learners to reflect on their thinking processes, set learning goals, select appropriate strategies, and monitor their progress towards these goals.

What impact do environmental factors have on learning as per the sixth principle?

Environmental factors, including culture, technology, and instructional practices, influence learning by interacting with the learner and the learning process. An appropriate learning environment can significantly impact student learning.

How do motivational and emotional influences affect learning according to the seventh principle?

Motivational and emotional influences affect what and how much is learned. Positive emotions like curiosity can enhance motivation and facilitate learning, while intense negative emotions can detract from motivation and interfere with learning.

What is the significance of intrinsic motivation in learning as described in the eighth principle?

Intrinsic motivation, stimulated by tasks that are novel, difficult, and relevant to personal interests, contributes to the learner's creativity, higher-order thinking, and natural curiosity. It is largely a function of meeting basic needs to be competent and to exercise personal control.

Why is extended learner effort important for the acquisition of complex knowledge and skills as mentioned in the ninth principle?

Extended learner effort is important because the acquisition of complex knowledge and skills requires guided practice and persistence over time. Motivation to exert this effort is a major indicator of the learner's commitment to learning.

How do developmental influences affect learning according to the tenth principle?

Developmental influences affect learning as individuals develop differently within physical, intellectual, emotional, and social domains. Learning is most effective when material is appropriate to their developmental level and presented in an enjoyable way.

What is the role of social interactions in learning as per the eleventh principle?

Social interactions play a crucial role in learning as they provide opportunities for perspective-taking, reflective thinking, and higher levels of cognitive, social, and moral development. Positive interpersonal support and instruction can also offset factors that interfere with optimal learning.

How do individual differences in learning impact the learning process according to the twelfth principle?

Individual differences in learning strategies, approaches, and capabilities impact the learning process as they are influenced by prior experiences and heredity. Educators need to help students understand and adapt their learning preferences to reach their goals.

Why is it important to consider learner diversity in the learning process as mentioned in the thirteenth principle?

Considering learner diversity is important because language, ethnicity, race, beliefs, and socioeconomic status can all influence learning. When learners perceive that their individual differences are valued and respected, motivation and achievement levels are enhanced.

What role do standards and assessment play in the learning process according to the fourteenth principle?

Standards and assessment are integral parts of the learning process. They provide important information for both the learner and teacher at all stages, helping to set high and challenging goals, and offering feedback on progress towards learning objectives.