Notes for further reading

Diagrams and figures

Reflective Activities

Learning Processes

This section concentrates on three theories of learning -- behaviourism, constructivism, and social cognition -- which have been of particular influence on teaching and learning in primary schools.

• When might we miss the chance of helping pupils become independent learners through AfL?
• How might we accelerate children’s ability to solve problems?

 

Children as Learners

The activities in this section are designed to facilitate reflection on the links between the personal characteristics and learning needs of individual children and teachers’ responsibilities for pupil performance in specific tasks.

• How have schools used pupil consultation to improve pupil engagement?
• How might we observe children’s thinking processes at work?
• How can we find out more about and respond to the different ways pupils like to learn?
• How do the words we use help to extend children's thinking?
• How might we find out about a child's capacity to learn?
• How can teaching 'thinking skills’ influence my pupils' learning?
• What can 'cognitive acceleration' do for my pupils?
• How can the teaching of thinking skills benefit underachieving pupils?
• How can you choose activities that will motivate your students?
• How can ICT support learning about abstract concepts?