Learning Sciences Talk for AAAEE

Learning Sciences Strategies to Support Adult Learners

AAACE, October 12, 2022

Overview

1. Who we are →

2. Background knowledge check →

3. Neuromyths →

4. Strategies →

5. Considerations for adult educators→

6 Example - Retrieval strategies→

7. Applications →

8 Cheat sheet →

Who we are

Jacqueline McGinty

Kimberly Rehak

Instructional DesignerUniversity of PittsburghCurriciulm & Instruction Doctoral CandidateIndiana University of Pennsylvania

Associate ProfessorEducation, Training, & Instructional TechnoologyIndiana University of Pennsylvania

jmcginty@iup.edu

lgpcc@iup.edu rehak@pitt.edu

Background knowledge check

Neuromyths

and the Importance of Evidence Based Practice

Neuromyth: Misconception created by misunderstandings/misinterpretations of brain research and its application to teaching and learning

• Misinterpretations may lead us to emphasize ineffective strategies.

• Miconceptions can negatively affect student outcomes.

• Professional development: emphasize evidence-based practices instead of putting time/resources into unproven methods.

+ Info

Six strategies

Interleaving

Spaced practice

plan to study over a long time period

study several things in different orders

from the cognitive science and the neurological process of learning

Concrete examples

Retrieval practice

quiz yourself!

think of applied uses or real-world examples

Dual coding

Elaboration

add language to visual informaiton

study by discussing the details

Considerations for adult educators

Teach how to learn

Model curiosity for learning

Demonstrate engagement

Teach students metacognitive learning strategies and study practices like interleaving

Show how you would encounter course content by demonstrating strategies like elaboration or using relevant concrete examples

Used spaced retrieval practice with your students or use elaboration to connect ideas with real-world examples.

Retrieval practice example

Improve memory

Students remember content with stronger mental connections

Reduce anxiety

Easier recall reduces mental stress

Retain learning gains

Material is transer fed to long-term memory

Promote curiosity and deeper learning!

How can we apply these strategies in our classrooms?

• modeling
• formal instruction
• build in strategies in course content
• nudges

"learning strategies are believed to be less rigid and more related to personal preferences and choices made by learners in undertaking learning tasks" (Smith, 1982; Fellenz & Conti, 1993; Conti & Kolody, 1995, cited in Ausburn, 2004)

Cheat Sheet

Click on the image for a downloadable cheat sheet from The Learning Scientists

Thank you!

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