Understanding How Students Learn: A Guide for Instructional Leaders

By P. Karen Murphy, Patricia Alexander, P Karen Murphy, et al.

Recognize and promote exceptional teaching based on how students learn

To improve teaching, school leaders must understand how students learn. Authors P. Karen Murphy and Patricia Alexander explore key psychological dimensions of learners and explain how these dimensions can be incorporated into more effective teaching strategies. Their accessible overview of classic and current educational research is part of the Leadership for Learning initiative of the American Association of School Administrators (AASA). Understanding How Students Learn provides guiding principles that school leaders can use to help their teachers develop a learner-centered approach to instruction that enables all students to learn at high levels and do well on common measures of academic achievement.

Concepts explored in-depth include:

Learner growth and development Acquiring knowledge and understanding Cultivating learner motivation Strategic teaching and strategic learning The power of shared learning

In addition to outlining specific guidelines for research-based action, the authors provide leaders with an understanding of student learning that empowers them to work more productively with teachers, parents, community leaders, and students.

Designed for principals and school administrators who have assumed the role of instructional leader, this book will also be an invaluable resource for those contemplating a career in school administration or teachers concerned with improving academic performance.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 141290885X
• ISBN13: 9781412908856
• Release Date: October 2005
• Publisher: Corwin Publishers
• Length: 168 Pages
• Weight: 1.12 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 7.2" x 10.1"

Customer Reviews

An informed and informative guide to the mapping of childrens' minds

Understanding How Students Learn: A Guide For Instructional Leaders deftly co-authored by P Karen Murphy (Associate Professor of Education, Department of Educational and School Psychology and Special Education, Pennsylvania State University), and Patricia A Alexander (Professor and Distinguished Scholar-Teacher, Department of Human Development, University of Maryland), is an informed and informative guide to the mapping of childrens' minds. Readers will discover many extensive and specific tips and helpful ideas to create a better learning environment as well as techniques for their students or children. Included in Understanding How Students Learn is an in depth exploration of all of the following: Learning growth and development; Acquiring knowledge and understanding; Cultivating learner motivation; Strategic teaching an strategic learning; The power of shared learning. As ideal reference to teachers for the k-8 grades, Understanding How Students Learn is a very strongly recommended read, especially for newcoming teachers.