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Learning theories 101: application to everyday teaching and scholarship
1Medical Education, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida Denise.Kay@ucf.edu.
Advances in Physiology Education
|February 6, 2016
Summary
Educators in basic science can improve teaching by understanding learning theories and their classroom applications. This article introduces five major theories using a curriculum design example.
Area of Science:
- Educational research
- Higher education scholarship
- Basic science pedagogy
Background:
- Evolving educational research landscape
- Changing definitions of higher education scholarship
- Shifting funding priorities in education
Purpose of the Study:
- Introduce five major learning theories to basic science educators
- Illustrate application of learning theories in classroom practice
- Provide a framework for understanding learning theory in higher education
Main Methods:
- Utilized a mock curriculum design scenario
- Described foundational constructs and principles of five major learning theories
- Detailed application of theories to proposed curriculum designs
Main Results:
- Presented a summative table for each theory
- Included basic principles, constructs, and classroom applications
- Outlined the roles of the teacher and learner for each theory
Conclusions:
- Basic science educators can benefit from integrating learning theories into their practice
- Understanding learning theory enhances curriculum design and classroom application
- The article provides a practical resource for applying learning theories in higher education settings
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