The purpose of this talk
is to provide an introduction for faculty
and researchers at NIE and NTU about the
relatively new field of the Learning Sciences.
As an interdisciplinary field that draws
on multiple theoretical perspectives and
research paradigms, researchers in the learning
sciences attempt to understand the nature
and conditions of learning, cognition, development,
and related areas of human performance. They
investigate cognition in its material, social,
and cultural contexts by conducting both
laboratory-based and naturalistic investigations.
The intent of learning sciences research
is to develop evidence-based claims about
how people learn that have practical, pedagogical,
and theoretical implications. Given this
focus on theory, practice, and learning in
context, learning sciences research frequently
involves carrying out design, implementation,
and policy work intended to improve the learning
experience of all learners. The talk will
consider selected major programs of learning
sciences research as short case studies.
These projects highlight issues of interest
in the learning sciences such as promoting
knowledge transfer, use of technology tools
to scaffold student learning, how to help
students learn challenging conceptual knowledge,
and how collaborative interactions and social
factors might enhance or support learning.
In addition, these projects exemplify distinctive
aspects of theory, methodology, and analysis
employed by researchers in the learning sciences.
Finally, after a consideration of current
areas of research interest in the field,
the talk will conclude with a brief overview
of the new NIE Learning Sciences Lab and
its areas of initial focus.
Click to download seminar presentation.
