According to research studies, emotions have an effect on many of the processes of learning. Emotions are an influence on perception, attention, motivation, and the encoding and … [Read more...]
Emotions And Learning: Part I
Emotion and Cognition
I've never done a formal survey, but I'm going to guess that the majority of our online courses don't have a strong emotional impact on the audience. This is true even though it's been known for some … [Read more...]
How To Write Analogies To Enhance Learning
Analogies are a key component of human thinking and understanding. They've stimulated great feats of problem-solving and discovery. They are also a classic way to foster learning by applying prior … [Read more...]
Characteristics of Adult Learners
Adult Learning Principles
Malcolm Knowles is perhaps the best known person for popularizing the theory that adults bring unique characteristics to the learning experience. Known as adult learning principles or adult … [Read more...]
The Novice Brain: Characteristics of the Novice Learner
Understanding the difference between novice learners and expert learners is key to effective instructional design. This article presents the characteristics of the novice learner that are thought to … [Read more...]
The Power of Retrieval Practice For Learning
An Instructional Strategy for Long-term Retention
This article has been updated and republished with new content. In a culture that requires shortcuts to improving performance—microlearning, performance support and getting quick answers from … [Read more...]
8 Principles on Cognitive Load and Collaborative Learning
Collaborative learning—when people work together in small groups to help each other learn—is considered an effective instructional approach. But research shows that the benefits of collaborative … [Read more...]
Can you read the minds of your learners?
An updated look at schemas and learning
During a presentation I gave several years ago, an audience member commented that he teaches older adults how to use software programs. "When these adult students don't understand a concept, they are … [Read more...]
What is cognitive load?
Working memory (WM) is the aspect of our brain that manipulates information in the moment. It affects most everything we do in terms of learning. This creates a challenge, because working memory can … [Read more...]
Working Memory: 20 Facts You Must Know
What is working memory? It's important to understand the characteristics of working memory when designing learning experiences. Without adapting learning experiences to the learner's cognitive … [Read more...]
Applying Richard Mayer’s Cognitive Theory Of Multimedia Learning
Richard Mayer's Cognitive Theory of Multimedia Learning is provides evidence-based principles for designing multimedia learning. But how can you apply these principles. This article presents the … [Read more...]
Metacognition And Learning: Strategies For Instructional Design
Do you know how to learn? Many people don't. Specifically, they don't know how to look inward to examine how they learn and to judge which methods are effective. That's where metacognitive … [Read more...]