Learner-Centered Teaching ─ Putting the Research on Learning Into Practice

Doyle (Ferris State U.), who has taught primary school and led faculty development workshops, argues that learner-centered teaching is the best way to optimize college student learning and details examples and ideas for implementation, as well as the underlying rationale. He shows how faculty can move away from the teacher-centered lecture model and addresses how to make teaching more learner-centered, answering questions drawn from faculty in the US and abroad. He explains the research from neuroscience, biology, cognitive psychology, and evolutionary biology about learning and its application; how to get students to do the work and engage them in authentic learning experiences that model the real world; how to get to know students better to optimize learning, including the role of emotional connections and building relationships; how to share power with students; how to facilitate discussion by not talking; how to teach to all the senses; how patterns are a major element in learning; how to use repetition and elaboration; how movement is important to learning; and how to get others to embrace learner-centered teaching. Annotation c2012 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)