Student-Centered Instruction: Integrating the Learning Sciences to Support Elementary and Middle School Learners

Abstract

Research from the learning sciences (how people learn) can help educators and parents work more effectively with disengaged students and reluctant learners. In this article, the author reviews the knowledge base of the learning sciences and examines what researchers and teachers have learned in the past 30 years regarding how and why people learn can support effective elementary and middle school–level instruction. An instructional guide is presented for educators and parents using the learning sciences as the basis for the design of learning environments to support disengaged students.

Keywords:

• elementary and middle school students
• How People Learn framework
• learning environments
• learning sciences
• research-based methods

Acknowledgment

The author wishes to thank Carie Greene for thoughtful and comprehensive suggestions during the revision process of this article.

Steven L. Turner is an assistant professor of Teaching, Learning, and Curriculum Studies at Kent State University. His research interests include the learning sciences and methods for preparing K–8 teacher candidates to integrate ethical and appropriate high-stakes test preparation without narrowing curriculum or teaching to the test.