The science of learning

Anique B.H. de Bruin; Matthew Sibbald; Sandra Monteiro

doi:10.1002/9781119373780.ch3

The science of learning

Anique B.H. de Bruin, Matthew Sibbald, Sandra Monteiro

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › Academic

Abstract

This chapter explores how learning is typically studied and measured in scientific research, before turning to the building blocks of human learning. As the science of learning ultimately aims at understanding, influencing, and predicting learning in real life, the measures used in scientific studies are very much related to those in educational practice. The chapter describes some neural mechanisms that underpin learning before considering three key neural functions: memory, attention, and cognitive processing. For the purpose of understanding memory, it is useful to know that the primary function of a large proportion of neural anatomy is to find associations between sensory input. The neural mechanisms that allow children to learn to distinguish between the concept of dogs and cats also support their learning of human behaviours and abstract concepts like emotion.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Understanding Medical Education: Evidence, Theory, and Practice
Editors	Tim Swanwick, Kirsty Forrest, Bridget C. O'Brien
Publisher	Wiley
Chapter	3
Pages	23-36
Number of pages	14
ISBN (Electronic)	9781119373780
ISBN (Print)	9781119373827
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119373780.ch3
Publication status	Published - 5 Oct 2018

Keywords

Cognitive processing
Educational neuroscience
Educational practice
Human behaviour
Neural anatomy
Neural mechanisms
Science of learning

Access to Document

10.1002/9781119373780.ch3

Cite this

@inbook{ecc2852a1a9c427cb110996e9ce84a0a,

title = "The science of learning",

abstract = "This chapter explores how learning is typically studied and measured in scientific research, before turning to the building blocks of human learning. As the science of learning ultimately aims at understanding, influencing, and predicting learning in real life, the measures used in scientific studies are very much related to those in educational practice. The chapter describes some neural mechanisms that underpin learning before considering three key neural functions: memory, attention, and cognitive processing. For the purpose of understanding memory, it is useful to know that the primary function of a large proportion of neural anatomy is to find associations between sensory input. The neural mechanisms that allow children to learn to distinguish between the concept of dogs and cats also support their learning of human behaviours and abstract concepts like emotion.",

keywords = "Cognitive processing, Educational neuroscience, Educational practice, Human behaviour, Neural anatomy, Neural mechanisms, Science of learning",

author = "{de Bruin}, {Anique B.H.} and Matthew Sibbald and Sandra Monteiro",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2019 The Association for the Study of Medical Education (ASME).",

year = "2018",

month = oct,

day = "5",

doi = "10.1002/9781119373780.ch3",

language = "English",

isbn = "9781119373827",

pages = "23--36",

editor = "Tim Swanwick and Kirsty Forrest and O'Brien, {Bridget C.}",

booktitle = "Understanding Medical Education: Evidence, Theory, and Practice",

publisher = "Wiley",

}

TY - CHAP

T1 - The science of learning

AU - de Bruin, Anique B.H.

AU - Sibbald, Matthew

AU - Monteiro, Sandra

PY - 2018/10/5

Y1 - 2018/10/5

N2 - This chapter explores how learning is typically studied and measured in scientific research, before turning to the building blocks of human learning. As the science of learning ultimately aims at understanding, influencing, and predicting learning in real life, the measures used in scientific studies are very much related to those in educational practice. The chapter describes some neural mechanisms that underpin learning before considering three key neural functions: memory, attention, and cognitive processing. For the purpose of understanding memory, it is useful to know that the primary function of a large proportion of neural anatomy is to find associations between sensory input. The neural mechanisms that allow children to learn to distinguish between the concept of dogs and cats also support their learning of human behaviours and abstract concepts like emotion.

AB - This chapter explores how learning is typically studied and measured in scientific research, before turning to the building blocks of human learning. As the science of learning ultimately aims at understanding, influencing, and predicting learning in real life, the measures used in scientific studies are very much related to those in educational practice. The chapter describes some neural mechanisms that underpin learning before considering three key neural functions: memory, attention, and cognitive processing. For the purpose of understanding memory, it is useful to know that the primary function of a large proportion of neural anatomy is to find associations between sensory input. The neural mechanisms that allow children to learn to distinguish between the concept of dogs and cats also support their learning of human behaviours and abstract concepts like emotion.

KW - Cognitive processing

KW - Educational neuroscience

KW - Educational practice

KW - Human behaviour

KW - Neural anatomy

KW - Neural mechanisms

KW - Science of learning

U2 - 10.1002/9781119373780.ch3

DO - 10.1002/9781119373780.ch3

M3 - Chapter

SN - 9781119373827

SP - 23

EP - 36

BT - Understanding Medical Education: Evidence, Theory, and Practice

A2 - Swanwick, Tim

A2 - Forrest, Kirsty

A2 - O'Brien, Bridget C.

PB - Wiley

ER -