From the Individual Learner to the Education System: Why Does the Science of Learning Matter?

Abstract

Much more is now known about learning at the individual level through different scientific disciplines from neuroscience, developmental and cognitive psychology, and allied disciplines. While these findings have contributed to teaching and learning practices within and outside of the classroom, the most exciting and popular pedagogical explorations and advances in the past two decades have centered around socially organized models of learning that are emergent: collaborative inquiry on open, authentic problems. This kind of learning is not only promoted in many countries in conjunction with fostering 21st century skills, but even more so in professional learning and organizational advancement in all arenas. This talk puts forward the view that the science of learning needs to take a systems perspective to leverage the theoretical and methodological advances in complexity and social network science to study and design interventions for learning at all levels of the education system. Some examples of such application will be provided for illustration.