Learning to Learn

THE BEST OF THE ACTIVE REVIEWING GUIDE by Roger Greenaway

Wise Up:
the Challenge of Lifelong Learning
Guy Claxton

One of the few to sense the flaws in our learning/ teaching structures, Guy Claxton reveals what it takes for learning to occur. An important book for anyone willing to believe that we may not have the optimal system at present. Builds on the work done by John Holt and Tim Gallwey among others. (reviewed by kundalini at Amazon.co.uk)

Synopsis: Nobody wants to be a failure...but not everyone knows how to be a success. What do you need to do to become the best prepared person to meet your goals as a life-long learner? Learning to Learn: A Philosophical Guide to Learning will provide you with the intellectual and practical tools to become an expert learner. Dr. Lee Rademacher uses philosophy in everyday language to help you think critically about your motivations and desire for learning and to help you transform yourself from the inside out. Practical exercises help you to focus your energies on actually achieving your learning goals. In our age of competitiveness, everyone needs some basic tools to put themselves ahead of the others. Learning to Learn gives you those tools to increase your potential as a learner. (Amazon.co.uk) Or you can buy 'Learning to Learn' for less as an e-book from Amazon.co.uk

Book Description: User-friendly, interactive, accessible and practical, "Learning to Learn" brings science and brain theory to the arena of teaching and learning. Garry Burnett leads us through a compelling process to find the best learning strategies for each individual - using both sides of the brain and every aspect of the learning experience. Each unit has detailed teacher plans, providing a structured, effective learning cycle that will: utilise a range of learning styles exercise a variety of thinking skills address the development of the Multiple Intelligences. An exciting and enjoyable resource for teachers and parents, this book is recommended to those wanting the best possible results. "Learning to Learn" will revolutionise your teaching approach, and aid in the development of confident, resourceful learners. The Book includes many photocopiable worksheets, detailed lesson plans and prompts, plus a free audio CD of useful stories. Suitable for ages 11-14. (Amazon.co.uk)

How People Learn:
Brain, Mind, Experience and School
John D. Bransford, Ann L. Brown, et al,
Committee on Development in the Science of Learning Research, National Research Council Educational Practice

Synopsis: Scientific evidence has added to our understanding of what it means to know, from the neural processes that occur, to the influence of culture on what we see and absorb. This text examines these findings and their implications for teaching, how we teach, and how we assess what our children learn. (Amazon.co.uk) See reviews at Amazon.co.uk

Emotional Intelligence
Daniel Goleman
There was a time when IQ was considered the leading determinant of success. In this fascinating book, based on brain and behavioural research, Daniel Goleman argues that our IQ- idolising view of intelligence is far too narrow. Instead, Goleman makes the case for "emotional intelligence" being the strongest indicator of human success. He defines emotional intelligence in terms of self-awareness, altruism, personal motivation, empathy and the ability to love and be loved by friends, partners, and family members. People who possess high emotional intelligence are the people who truly succeed in work as well as play, building flourishing careers and lasting, meaningful relationships. Because emotional intelligence isn't fixed at birth, Goleman outlines how adults as well as parents of young children can sow the seeds. (Amazon.com)
Synopsis: This study argues that "emotional intelligence" is more important than a high IQ in terms of how one performs in life. It claims that qualities such as impulse control, persistence, zeal, self-motivation, empathy and social deftness are the characteristics of people who excel.

Frames of Mind:
The Theory of Multiple Intelligences
Howard Gardner

Synopsis: This study argues that everybody possesses at least seven intelligences - ranging from musical intelligence to the intelligence involved in understanding oneself - most of which have been overlooked in our testing society. Undermining the common notion that intelligence is a general capacity that every human being possesses to a greater, or lesser extent, the author proposes that each person's blend of competences produces a unique cognitive profile. Seized upon by educators throughout the world, multiple theory has been applied in hundreds of classrooms and school districts since this book was first published. This "Tenth Anniversary Edition" brings the theory up-to-date. Howard Gardner is the author of "The Unschooled Mind". (Amazon.co.uk) Views from (mostly) enthused readers

Experiential Learning:
Experience as the Source of Learning and Development
David A. Kolb

Kolb's learning cycle has spawned many unauthorised imitations that misrepresent his theories. As you might guess from the title he has a theory of experiential development as well as a theory of experiential learning. Not bed time reading, but essential for anyone doing serious research in this area. Most readers will probably be surprised to find that there is very little about cyclical movement, even though his well known 'circle' is the central focus of his discussion of the various dynamics of his model of experiential learning. There is an important 4 page critique of Kolb's theory in John Heron's Feelings and Personhood, in which Kolb's model is said to downplay the importance of feelings and intuition in experiential learning. Despite the range of Kolb's theorising, this generally positivistic book does not provide an adequate grounding for more holistic approaches to learning. (reviewed by Roger Greenaway) View these critiques of Kolb's experiential learning theory and Kolb's answers to questions about his theory.

The Three Dimensions of Learning: Contemporary Learning Theory in the Tension Field between the Cognitive, the Emotional and the Social by Knud Illeris Publisher: Copenhagen: Roskilde University Press (2004) Book Description (at amazon.com): The Three Dimensions of Learning is an extraordinary book offering an overview and critical examination of the most significant American and European learning theories. From them it develops a coherent overall theory covering the cognitive, the emotional and the social and societal dimensions of learning, thus addressing the current issue of competence development. One chapter discusses non-learning, learning defense, and learning resistance. With its construction of a comprehensive and contemporary theory of learning, this book has sold over 25,000 copies in Danish, Swedish, and English. Now available in North America, it will be useful to adult educators dealing with human and organizational learning and development. (amazon.com) Professor Knud Illeris's comprehensive theory of learning includes a substantial critique of Kolb's theory of experiential learning. [Details to follow when I have read it! RG] view at amazon.co.uk or at amazon.com

Cognitive Styles and Learning Strategies:
Understanding Style Differences in Learning and Behaviour
Richard Riding, Stephen Rayner

Synopsis: This volume reviews and integrates research on style differences in learning behaviour and describes the "cognitive styles analysis" which provides a simple and effective method of assessing style in children and adults. As both a textbook and a source of reference for professionals working in a range of contexts, it aims to help teachers and trainers reflect on and assess their effectiveness. The authors provide insights into personal and professional behaviour for cousellors and personnel professionals, and offer a framework for future research for psychologists. (Amazon.co.uk)

From the Inside Flap: StudyWhiz jump starts student learning potential. StudyWhiz is a learning system that helps students unravel the mystery of how subject matter is organized so that they can learn it more efficiently and effectively. The central message of StudyWhiz is that students who practice being more thoughtful about their schoolwork will not only become more efficient learners but will also increase their capacity to learn additional material. This system guides students through MindFrames,namely Previewing, Naming, Connecting, Recapping, Constructing, Self-Testing and Reflecting. Each MindFrame is a stage of learning, a specific way in which the mind frames new material as it learns. MindFrames work powerfully to help students reduce gaps in knowledge, focus attention, enhance memory and create different ways to make sense of schoolwork. StudyWhiz helps students highlight the connectedness and relevance of ideas. Using StudyWhiz, students can build confidence and ability. Product Description: This book takes the organization of ideas introduced in the StudyWhiz for younger students to a higher level of application. Where the StudyWhiz for students in Grades 4–6 is intended to help students model the MindFrames, this version helps students apply each MindFrame as appropriate and link them together into a coherent whole. Used appropriately, this StudyWhiz is an information management system that enhances memory and transfer. It invites personal decision-making, self-assessment and expression. (Amazon.com)

Mindful Learning:
101 Proven Strategies for Student and Teacher Success
Linda Campbell

These active learning strategies for teachers include: • Tapping students' background knowledge • Ways to teach with active learning processes • Proven methods to teach reading to diverse learners • How to run a classroom that is gender-fair • Proven ways to make assessment meaningful • Specific suggestions for defining and meeting the needs of English language learners and other diverse student populations, plus summaries of research that explain how and why the 101 strategies work. (Amazon.co.uk)

We're Born to Learn:
Using the Brain's Natural Learning Process to Create Today's Curriculum
Rita Smilkstein

Publisher's Description (extract): In We’re Born to Learn, Smilkstein reframes traditional education, transforming the student who "can’t" into the student who is simply not experiencing his or her birthright as a naturally motivated learner. This book provides research-based, concrete strategies for creating a student-centered curriculum in which every student can learn! Smilkstein has broken down the Natural Human Learning Process (NHLP) into six stages from foundational knowledge through higher-level thinking. She then provides guidelines and models showing educators how to create learning experiences at each stage of the process for individuals, small groups, and whole classes so all students can experience the joy and satisfaction of success.

Review: Everyone is born with intuition, explains author Shakti Gawain. The problem is, most people learned to suppress the natural connection to their intuition, and were trained to solely rely on their logical, rational mind. "Many people who are not accustomed to being consciously in touch with their intuition imagine that it is a mysterious force that would come to them through some transcendent mystical experience", Gawain writes. "In fact, intuition is a very practical, down-to-earth tool that is always available to help us deal with the decisions, problems, and challenges of our daily lives"... Gawain has a long history of writing straightforward, self-help primers that cover elusive spiritual material. Once again she has done an excellent job. Developing Intuition is a sensibly organised beginner's guide to intuition that steadily paces readers through a wealth of insight. (Gail Hudson, Amazon.co.uk)

Book Description: The Hidden Intelligence explores what intuition is and is not, and why it is often hidden. Based on interviews with executives from Fortune 500 organizations to entrepreneurial startups, the book is full of insights the author has gathered over the years working with creative problem solving and ideation techniques. It brings our intuition into the mainstream of those skills crucial to running a successful business. (Amazon.co.uk) From the Author: ... Tips are offered on how to tap into it whenever you need to make an important decision and do not have enough facts that point in a clear direction. Find out why a Harvard MBA, Vice Chairman of a major corporation uses a pendulum for his decision making. Learn how to invent new products,as many of the great inventors did, using this inner mind skill.

Book Description Learning to Fly shows exactly how to put theory into practice, sharing the tools used and the experience and insights gained by two leading knowledge management practitioners. In Learning to Fly, Chris Collison and Geoff Parcell share their experiences from BP, one of the world's leading knowledge organisations. It is a practical, pragmatic workbook packed with hints and tips to help managers put knowledge management into action immediately. For a full review of Learning to Fly and a comparison with Common Knowledge see Roger Greenaway's comparative review See more reviews at Amazon.co.uk See reviews and 'inside the book' at amazon.com