Handbook of Academic Learning: Construction of Knowledge

The Handbook of Academic Learning provides a comprehensive resource for educational and cognitive psychologists, as well as educators themselves, on the mechanisms and processes of academic learning. Beginning with general themes that cross subject and age levels, the book discusses what motivates students to learn and how knowledge can be made personal for better learning and remembering. Individual chapters identify proven effective teaching methods for the specific domains of math, reading, writing, science, and critical problem solving; how students learn within those domains; and how learning can be accurately assessed for given domains and age levels.The Handbook takes a constructivist perspective to academic learning, emphasizing the construction of personal knowledge of an academic nature. Constructivism within the context of learning theory is viewed as involving an active learner that constructs an academic knowledge base through the development of cognitive strategies and metacognition. The book discusses the development of basic literacy skills that provide the foundation for higher order thinking and problem solving. Constructivism recognizes the social dimension of classroom learning and emphasizes the motivational elements of self-regulation and volition as essential learner characteristics.Written by authors who have experience with both theory development and the development of classroom instructional techniques, the Handbook empowers educators to develop, implement, and field-test instructional practices at their school site. The book provides a review of the literature, theory, research, and skill techniques for effective teaching and learning.

Key Features* Discusses teaching methods for specific subject areas: reading, writing, math, science, and critical thinking* Contains field-tested examples for the education professional at the school site* Reviews theory, research, techniques, and assessment at the school site* Identifies effective teaching with specific techniques* Covers elementary school through high school* Identifies how students learn to learn* Provides a resource for staff development

Gary D. Phye, Past President of the Iowa Educational Research and Evaluation Association, is the new editor of the Academic Press Educational Psychology Book Series. He has published numerous research articles and book chapters in the areas of classroom learning and transfer. He previously co-edited two of the bestselling volumes in the book series: School Psychology with Dan Reschly and Cognitive Classroom Learning with Tom Andre. In addition to being the co-author of an undergraduate educational psychology text, Dr. Phye has also co-authored (with K. Josef Klauer) a newly-published program designed to teach and assess the inductive reasoning and metacognitive strategies of young children. Dr. Phye is currently working with the Ames Community public schools in the training and assessment of inductive reasoning strategies of special needs children in primary and intermediate grades.