Readings & Resources

Learning Theory

• Smith, M. K. (2011). Learning theory. In The encyclopedia of informal education.
• Conner, Marcia L. (2002). A Primer on Educational Psychology. Institute of Training & Occupational Learning (ITOL) Journal, (January). (Cog, Behav, Constructivism, Humanism). Copyright Marcia Conner.
• A Visual Primer on Learning Theories, TeachThought.com

Adult Learning

• Instructional design -- Andragogy (M. Knowles). Adult Learning/Knowles primer (1-pager, Knowles in a nutshell)
• Zemke, R. & Zemke S. (1984, March 9). 30 things we know for sure about adult learning. Innovation Abstracts, VI(8).
  Note: This is a very short (1-pager) broken into 3 sections or lists: Motivation, Curriculum Design, and In the Classroom. As you read this last section, think about how these principles apply to your online classroom. And as you read the whole piece, ask yourself what you know for sure about adult learning - is it on the list?

Learning Styles

• Conner, M. (2002). Introduction to Learning Styles. - good overview of main types of learning styles - perceptual modalities, multiple intelligences, "mind styles", Kolb, MBTI
• Felder, Richard M. & Soloman, Barbara A. (n.d.). Learning styles and strategies.
  Note: This piece suggests specific study strategies for learners who may not be receiving information in their preferred "mode" or "style".
• Learning Styles Don't Exist. (YouTube, 6:55 min). Professor Daniel Willingham describes research showing that learning styles are a myth
• Pashler, H., McDaniel, M., Rohrer, D., & Bjork, R. (2008). Learning Styles: Concepts & Evidence. Psychological Sciences in the Public Interest, 9 (3), 105-119. (Note: If you are not part of the RRU Community use this Alternate link.)

Learning Styles Assessments

Take 1 (or more) Learning Styles Assessment and see what you think about the results...or, just look at the questions - this is a good way to get a feel for the assumptions/ideas behind learning styles.

• Learning Styles Assessment: Connor, Marcia L. (2008). What is your learning style?

You completed this during the Pre-Course week:

• Solomon, Barbara A. & Felder, Richard M. (n.d.). Index of Learning Styles Questionnaire. North Carolina State University.
  (44 brief questions, scored on web) is an online instrument used to assess preferences on four dimensions (active/reflective, sensing/intuitive, visual/verbal, and sequential/global) of a learning style model formulated by Richard M. Felder and Linda K. Silverman.