14 LEARNER - CENTERED PSYCHOLOGICAL PRINCIPLES

Summary

In this educational podcast, Abigail from 'A Beautiful Day to Learn' delves into the 14 learner-centered psychological principles developed by the American Psychological Association. The principles, which include cognitive, metacognitive, motivational, developmental, and social factors, offer a comprehensive framework for effective learning. They emphasize the importance of constructing meaning, setting goals, strategic thinking, and the influence of individual differences and context on learning. The summary by Alexander and Murphy condenses these into five key areas: knowledge base, strategic processing, motivation, development, and context, highlighting the learner's unique journey in education.

Takeaways

• 📚 The script discusses the 14 learner-centered psychological principles developed by the American Psychological Association's Board of Educational Affairs in 1997.
• 🧠 Cognitive and metacognitive factors are crucial for learning, emphasizing the intentional process of constructing meaning from information and experiences.
• 🎯 Successful learners set meaningful goals and create coherent representations of knowledge, supported by instructional guidance and their own strategic thinking.
• 🔗 Knowledge construction involves linking new information with existing knowledge, expanding one's understanding and ability to integrate new experiences.
• 🤔 Strategic thinking and metacognition enable learners to reflect on their thought processes, select appropriate learning strategies, and monitor their progress.
• 🌐 The context of learning, including environmental factors like culture, technology, and instructional practices, influences the learning process.
• 🌟 Motivation and emotional influences on learning can enhance or interfere with a learner's quality of thinking and information processing.
• 🔑 Intrinsic motivation to learn is stimulated by tasks that are relevant to personal interests, provide personal choice, and offer a sense of control.
• 💪 Effort is a significant indicator of motivation to learn, with the acquisition of complex knowledge and skills demanding considerable energy and persistence.
• 👶 Developmental influences on learning suggest that taking into account physical, intellectual, emotional, and social domains is essential for effective learning.
• 🤝 Social influences on learning can be enhanced through interaction and collaboration with others on instructional tasks, fostering a sense of community and shared understanding.
• 🌈 Individual differences and diversity are acknowledged, with the principles of learning, motivation, and effective instruction applying to all learners regardless of personal characteristics.
• 📈 Assessment is highlighted as a vital tool providing information to both learners and teachers at all stages of the learning process, including various types like formative and summative assessments.

Q & A

What are the 14 learner-centered psychological principles discussed in the podcast?

The podcast discusses 14 principles that were prepared by the learner-centered principles work group of the American Psychological Association's Board of Educational Affairs. These principles provide a framework for school reform and redesign, focusing on cognitive and metacognitive factors, motivational and affective factors, developmental and social factors, individual differences, and standards and assessment.

How does the nature of the learning process influence effective learning?

According to the podcast, the learning of complex subject matter is most effective when it's an intentional process of constructing meaning from information and experiences. Experience dictates the meaning, creates new meaning, and provides knowledge, making experience the best teacher.

What is the role of goals in the learning process as mentioned in the podcast?

The podcast states that a successful learner, over time and with support and instructional guidance, can create meaningful, coherent representations of knowledge. The goals of the learning process are integral to a learner's success and are shaped by the support and guidance they receive.

How does the construction of knowledge relate to learning?

The successful learner can link new information with existing knowledge in meaningful ways. This construction of knowledge involves accessing and utilizing existing schemas or knowledge structures to integrate new information, thus expanding one's understanding.

What is strategic thinking and its significance in learning according to the podcast?

Strategic thinking involves the creation and use of a repertoire of thinking and reasoning strategies to achieve complex learning. It is significant as it allows the learner to approach problems, conceptualize ideas, and solve issues more effectively.

How does metacognition play a role in the learning process?

Metacognition, or thinking about thinking, allows successful learners to reflect on how they think and learn, set reasonable learning or performance goals, select appropriate learning strategies or methods, and monitor their progress towards these goals.

What environmental factors influence learning as discussed in the podcast?

Learning is influenced by environmental factors including culture, technology, and instructional practices. These factors shape the context in which learning occurs and can either support or hinder the learning process.

How do motivational and emotional factors affect learning?

Motivational and emotional factors can either enhance or interfere with the learner's quality of thinking and information processing. Beliefs, schools, and expectations for success or failure can significantly impact a learner's engagement and performance.

What is the significance of effort in the context of learning as mentioned in the podcast?

Effort is a major indicator of motivation to learn. The acquisition of complex knowledge and skills demands considerable learner energy and strategic effort, along with persistence over time. The amount of effort a student puts into a task can reflect their level of motivation.

How do developmental and social factors contribute to effective learning?

Developmental factors within and across physical, intellectual, emotional, and social domains should be considered for effective learning. Social influences, such as opportunities to interact and collaborate with others on instructional tasks, can enhance learning through shared ideas and responsibilities.

What does the podcast suggest about individual differences in learning?

Individuals are born with and develop their own unique capabilities and talents. Educators should help students examine their learning preferences and expand or modify them if necessary to cater to individual differences in learning.

How does the podcast summarize the 14 learner-centered psychological principles?

The podcast summarizes the 14 principles into five key areas: the knowledge base, strategic processing and control, motivation and effect, development and individual differences, and situation or context. These areas encompass the foundational aspects of learning and the various influences that shape the learning process.