Winter 2014: How Learning Works

This winter term we read the book How Learning Works:

Ambrose SA, Bridges MW, DiPietro M, Lovett MC, Norman MK. 2010. How Learning Works: Seven Research-Based Principles for Smart Teaching. Jossey-Bass, San Francisco, CA.


Week 1 – January 9 and 10

Reading:
To set the stage during week 1, we read the Introduction (pages 1-9), Appendices A & B (pages 225-230). We planned to read a chapter a week to use for the basis of our journal club activities and discussions.

Ambrose SA, Bridges MW, DiPietro M, Lovett MC, Norman MK. 2010. How Learning Works: Seven Research-Based Principles for Smart Teaching. Jossey-Bass, San Francisco, CA.


Week 2 – January 16 and 17

Reading:
For week 2, we read Chapter 1: How Does Students’ Prior Knowledge Affect Their Learning? from How Learning Works: Seven Research-Based Principles for Smart Teaching


Week 3 – January 23 and 24

Reading:
For week 3, we read Chapter 2: How Does the Way Students Organize their Knowledge Affect Their Learning? from How Learning Works: Seven Research-Based Principles for Smart Teaching, by S. A. Ambrose, et al.


Week 4 – January 30 and 31

Reading:
For week 4, we read Chapter 3: What Factors Motivate Students to Learn from How Learning Works.


Week 5 – February 6 and 7

Reading:
This week in Science Literacy Teaching Journal Club, we read Chapter 4: How Do Students Develop Mastery? from How Learning Works: Seven Research-Based Principles for Smart Teaching by S. A. Ambrose, et al.


Week 6 – February 13 and 14

Reading:
This week at journal club we read “Chapter 5. What Kinds of Practice and Feedback Enhance Learning?” from How Learning Works: Seven Research-Based Principles for Smart Teaching, by S. A. Ambrose, et al.

Friday afternoon folks, we circled back to Chapter 4, canceled due to snow, the following week.


Week 7 – February 20 and 21

Reading:
Due to a snow cancellation, we went back in book time this week for the journal club.

On Thursday, February 20, we had an open discussion and opportunity to talk about how teaching is going this term including challenges and opportunities faced in the classroom. We especially encouraged anyone affiliated with SLP courses this or spring term to attend.

On Friday, February 21, we discussed Chapter 4: How Do Students Develop Mastery? from How Learning Works: Seven Research-Based Principles for Smart Teaching, by S. A. Ambrose, et al.


Week 8 – February 27 and 28

Reading:
This week in Science Literacy Teaching Journal Club, we continued our discussion of How Learning Works: Seven Research-Based Principles for Smart Teaching, by S. A. Ambrose, et al. Our focus this week was Chapter 6: Why Do Student Development and Course Climate Matter for Student Learning?


Week 9 – March 6 and 7

Reading:
This week in Science Literacy Teaching Journal Club, we continued our discussion of How Learning Works: Seven Research-Based Principles for Smart Teaching, with Chapter 6: Why Do Student Development and Course Climate Matter for Student Learning? There is a lot of material in this chapter so we have decided to discuss it over two weeks.


Week 10 – March 13 and 14

Reading:
This week we finished reading How Learning Works: Seven Research-Based Principles for Smart Teaching with Chapter 7: How do students become self-directed learners? and Conclusion: Applying the seven principles to ourselves.