Skills Education

The Science of Learning

Ever wondered why (and how) learning happens? Why do some things stick with us while others fade like chalk dust in the wind? Learning is not just about memorising facts; it's about understanding how our brains process information, retain knowledge, and build new skills. And the field of Learning Science helps us to use these insights to develop and deliver exceptional learning opportunities.

And what is Learning Science? Learning Science is the fascinating study of how people learn best and includes fields of neuroscience, psychology and education.

Image by vecstock

Learning science 

"Learning sciences is an interdisciplinary field that studies teaching and learning. 

Learning scientists study learning in a variety of settings – not only the more formal learning of school classrooms, but also the more informal learning that takes place at home, on the job, and among peers. 

The goal of the learning sciences is to better understand the cognitive and social processes that result in the most effective learning, and to use this knowledge to redesign classrooms and other learning environments so that people learn more deeply and more effectively…

This new science is called the learning sciences because it is an interdisciplinary science; the collaboration among these disciplines has resulted in new ideas, new methodologies, and new ways of thinking about learning"    - Sawyer, R. K

(Sawyer, Keith. (2008). Optimising Learning: Implications of Learning Sciences Research. Innovating to Learn, Learning to Innovate. 10.1787/9789264047983-4-en)

Learning science blends psychology, neuroscience, and education to understand how brains acquire, process, and retain information. It focuses on understanding how people learn and how to optimise the learning process. When we apply learning science to instruction and the design of learning programs, we look to increase understanding of the complex processes that underpin learning and improve educational outcomes for learners.

Learning science draws on theories and methods from fields including cognitive psychology, educational psychology, and neuroscience to develop evidence-based approaches to teaching and learning.

Importantly, learning science is not a static field; it is constantly evolving as more is discovered about the human brain and how it learns. This means new insights and discoveries are always on the horizon, offering exciting possibilities for improving educational practices.

To start your exploration of Learning Science, see the course topics below.

- Updated 29.1.24