Theories of Learning: Tools for thinking about practice

by Debra McGregor

Overview

To be a successful teacher, or student of education, it is crucial to acknowledge the learning process. This book explains major learning theories, how they have developed, what beliefs and evidence they have been based upon and what they mean for teachers' practice. Key areas considered include:

• How different theories, including behaviourism, constructivism, cognitivism and social culturalism, offer alternate perspectives about learning;
• Detailed case studies, in a range of school contexts, show how theoretical considerations play out in real situations;
• How a deeper understanding of learning theory can enhance your professional teacher knowledge and practice.

The book also includes a range of practical tasks and questions for consideration to encourage deeper reflection about teaching and learning processes.

This is essential reading for anyone training to teach in primary and secondary education, Education Studies students, and teachers seeking to refresh their knowledge and understanding of different perspectives of learning.

Debra Mc Gregor is Professor in Education at Oxford Brookes University.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781446253144
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
Publication date:	09/08/2025
Pages:	296
Product dimensions:	6.69(w) x 9.53(h) x (d)

About the Author

Professor Debra Mc Gregor currently works at Oxford Brookes University. She has worked in education for nearly 40 years. She has taught in primary and secondary schools and various university settings in the UK, Europe and USA. She has led various research projects across many contexts up and down the country and within Europe. She has published many papers and books concerned with teaching and learning, the performing arts, cognitive development, the nature of creativity and close to practice research. She remains passionate about supporting education to provide the best that is possible for teachers and their students.

Table of Contents

Ch1: Introducing how learning is talked about
Part 1: Introducing theories of learning
Ch2: Introducing behavourism and information-processing theories
Ch3: Introducing constructivism and the agentive mind
Ch4: Language and meaning making
Ch5: Introducing social constructivism and socioculturalism
Ch6: Thinking further about the social and cultural aspects of learning
Part 2: Applying theory to make sense of practice
Ch7: Classroom cases featuring aspects of behaviourism and information processing
Ch8: Classroom cases featuring aspects of constructivism
Ch9: Classroom cases featuring aspects of social constructivism
Ch10: Classroom cases featuring aspects of socioculturalism