Peer Review

Emerging Perspectives on Learning, Teaching, and Technology

Material Detail page

Reviewed:: Dec 12, 2019 by Teacher Education

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Ratings

Overall Rating:

Content Quality:

Effectiveness:

Ease of Use:

Overview:

The Introduction gives an overview of learning and instructional theory, and subsequent chapters elaborate on theories, models, and strategies and provide multimedia files to support and illustrate content. Chapters cover learning and cognitive theories, learner-centered theories, inquiry strategies, inquiry strategies, tools for teaching and learning, socially oriented theories, and direct instruction strategies. For example, in the first chapter, Learning and Cognitive Theories, the section on Bloom’s Taxonomy compares the original and revised (2001) taxonomies. An animation illustrates the revised (Anderson, 2001) taxonomy. Each level can be clicked to reveal charts of verbs and products. The section includes links to further Internet resources and a bibliography of print resources. The section on Motivation in the chapter titled Learner-Centered Theories gives a general overview of theories. It includes a narrated PowerPoint presentation (2:59) that distinguishes mastery and performance goals and explains their influence on student learning and motivation. Mastery goals are favored and a table lists classroom structure and instructional strategies supporting mastery goals. The chapter on Socially Oriented Theories has a section on Cooperative Learning provides a table of forms of learning groups and the pros and cons of cooperative learning.

Type of Material:

Open (Access) Textbook

Recommended Uses:

Uses:

Text in a teacher education course.

Reference for professional educators.

Interesting read.

Technical Requirements:

It is a pdf file, readable by free Acrobat Reader and most browsers.

Identify Major Learning Goals:

Purpose: to introduce and elaborate on learning theories and current teaching practices.

Target Student Population:

College Upper Division, Graduate School, Professional

Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:

Interest in teaching and learning strategies.

Content Quality

Rating:

Strengths:

It is comprehensive. The text includes a variety of authors. Controversies about some of the theories are discussed. It covers typical educational theories, strategies, and approaches that an undergraduate course would include.

Concerns:

Though the authors and their university affiliation are listed. There is no indication that the authors are students, professors, or researchers. No controversy is identified about Learning Styles.

Background information is provided for the main author/editor. It would be helpful to have professional backgorund for the other chapter authors .

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

Rating:

Strengths:

A great resource. The chapters are short, the style highly readable. Some of the authors include charts, tables and case studies.

Instructors could use this material in a wide range of individual or group assignments. Content would be of use for teacher education majors.

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

Rating:

Strengths:

It is free. It is a text which can be read from front to back or by using the table of contents. Most titles in the table of contents function as live links, taking you to that chapter or subsection.

The document takes advantage of heading styles, making the layout meaningful and accessible to all readers.

Concerns:

The table of contents functions inconsistently as a navigation tool. Connectivism for instance, though a chapter heading, is not an accurate link.

There is no easy way to move between chapters or back to start unless you are viewing in Acrobat.

Usability would be enhanced by adding bookmarks/links back to tabel of contents.

Other Issues and Comments:: This is timely, and as good a text as one from a pricely publisher. It is our hope that the editor keeps it up to date. One reviewer will include chapters in her faculty training courses.
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