This video-based course is an exploration of learning theory—appropriate for grades K–12 and all subject areas—for the training of preservice teachers and the professional development of in-service teachers. Hosted by LPI President Linda Darling-Hammond, the 13 half-hour episodes illustrate a variety of learning theories with applications to classroom practice. A website and print guide supplement the videos, with background readings, questions for discussion, and ongoing assignments that bring theory into practice.

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How People Learn: Introduction to Learning Theory

In the first episode of "The Learning Classroom," educators share their experiences and insights on effective teaching strategies, focusing on how people learn, how to create productive learning environments, and how to motivate students. Several shared examples demonstrate that effective teaching integrates various learning theories and strategies, adapts to the complexities of human learning and the diverse needs of students, and creates a dynamic and supportive educational environment.

This episode highlights the SoLD educator preparation principles of curriculum rooted in a deep understanding of learners, learning, and development; supportive developmental relationships in communities of practice; development of skills, habits, and mindsets of an equitable educator; rich, experiential learning opportunities; and pedagogical alignment and modeling.

Learning As We Grow: Development and Learning

The second episode of "The Learning Classroom" examines the concept of readiness for learning and illustrates how developmental pathways—including physical, cognitive, and linguistic—all play a part in students' learning. This episode includes a 1st-grade teacher, a 7th- and 8th-grade science teacher, and a 12th-grade physics teacher, along with expert commentary from University of California at Santa Cruz Professor Roland Tharp and Yale University Professor James P. Comer.

This episode highlights the SoLD educator preparation principles of curriculum rooted in a deep understanding of learners, learning, and development; supportive developmental relationships in communities of practice; development of skills, habits, and mindsets of an equitable educator; rich, experiential learning opportunities; and pedagogical alignment and modeling.

Building on What We Know: Cognitive Processing

The third episode of "The Learning Classroom" covers how prior knowledge, expectations, context, and practice affect processing, using information, and making connections. This episode includes a 1st-grade teacher, a 9th- and 10th-grade mathematics teacher, and a special education teacher, along with expert commentary from Stanford University Professor Roy Pea.

This episode highlights the SoLD educator preparation principles of curriculum rooted in a deep understanding of learners, learning, and development; supportive developmental relationships in communities of practice; development of skills, habits, and mindsets of an equitable educator; rich, experiential learning opportunities; and pedagogical alignment and modeling.

Different Kinds of Smart: Multiple Intelligences

The fourth episode of "The Learning Classroom" explores Harvard University Professor Howard Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences, describing how people have learning skills that differ in significant ways.

This episode includes expert commentary from Howard Gardner and highlights the SoLD educator preparation principles of curriculum rooted in a deep understanding of learners, learning, and development; supportive developmental relationships in communities of practice; development of skills, habits, and mindsets of an equitable educator; rich, experiential learning opportunities; and pedagogical alignment and modeling.

Feelings Count: Emotions and Learning

The fifth episode of "The Learning Classroom" introduces ways to create an emotionally safe classroom to foster learning and to deal effectively with emotions and conflicts that can be obstacles to learning.

This episode includes expert commentary from Daniel B. Goleman, author of the book Emotional Intelligence, and Yale University Professor James P. Comer and highlights the SoLD educator preparation principles of curriculum rooted in a deep understanding of learners, learning, and development; supportive developmental relationships in communities of practice; development of skills, habits, and mindsets of an equitable educator; rich, experiential learning opportunities; and pedagogical alignment and modeling.

The Classroom Mosaic: Culture and Learning

The sixth episode of "The Learning Classroom" discusses how culturally responsive teaching enables students to create connections, access prior knowledge and experience, and develop competence. Kathleen Hayes-Parvin, 6th-grade teacher at Birney Middle School, Southfield, MI, and 9th-grade teachers William Dean and Jeff Gilbert at East Palo Alto High School, Menlo Park, CA, are featured. University of Wisconsin Professor Gloria Ladson-Billings and University of Arizona Professor Luis Moll provide expert commentary.

This episode highlights the SoLD educator preparation principles of curriculum rooted in a deep understanding of learners, learning, and development; supportive developmental relationships in communities of practice; development of skills, habits, and mindsets of an equitable educator; rich, experiential learning opportunities; and pedagogical alignment and modeling.

Learning From Others: Learning in a Social Context

The seventh episode of "The Learning Classroom'' focuses on Lev Vygotsky's work, exploring how learning relies on communication and interaction with others in communities of learners. It features a 5th-grade teacher and a high school teacher, with expert commentary from Tufts University Professor David Elkind, Yale University Professor James P. Comer, and University of California at Santa Cruz Professor Roland Tharp.

This episode highlights the SoLD educator preparation principles of curriculum rooted in a deep understanding of learners, learning, and development; supportive developmental relationships in communities of practice; development of skills, habits, and mindsets of an equitable educator; rich, experiential learning opportunities; and pedagogical alignment and modeling.

Watch It, Do It, Know It: Cognitive Apprenticeship

The eighth episode of "The Learning Classroom" demonstrates how teachers help their students develop expertise and accomplish complex tasks using modeling, assisted performance, scaffolding, coaching, and feedback. It features a 5th- and 6th-grade teacher and an 11th- and 12th-grade English and social studies teacher, with expert commentary from University of Michigan Professor Annemarie Sullivan Palincsar.

This episode highlights the SoLD educator preparation principles of curriculum rooted in a deep understanding of learners, learning, and development; supportive developmental relationships in communities of practice; development of skills, habits, and mindsets of an equitable educator; rich, experiential learning opportunities; and pedagogical alignment and modeling.

Thinking About Thinking: Metacognition

In the ninth episode of "The Learning Classroom," experts describe how thinking about thinking helps students better manage their own learning and learn difficult concepts deeply. The program features a 12th-grade English teacher and a 6th-grade teacher, with expert commentary from University of Michigan Professor Annemarie Sullivan Palincsar and Lee S. Shulman, former President of the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.

This episode highlights the SoLD educator preparation principles of curriculum rooted in a deep understanding of learners, learning, and development; supportive developmental relationships in communities of practice; development of skills, habits, and mindsets of an equitable educator; rich, experiential learning opportunities; and pedagogical alignment and modeling.

How We Organize Knowledge: The Structure of the Disciplines

The tenth episode of "The Learning Classroom" covers the ways in which the organization of knowledge and understanding can influence learning. It introduces Bruner's and Schwab's ideas about the structure of the disciplines. A 4th-grade teacher, a 10th-grade biology teacher, and a 9th- through 12th-grade teacher are featured, with expert commentary from Lee S. Shulman, former President of the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.

This episode highlights the SoLD educator preparation principles of curriculum rooted in a deep understanding of learners, learning, and development; supportive developmental relationships in communities of practice; development of skills, habits, and mindsets of an equitable educator; rich, experiential learning opportunities; and pedagogical alignment and modeling. 

Lessons for Life: Learning and Transfer

The eleventh episode of "The Learning Classroom" describes what conditions are needed for knowledge and skills learned in one context to be retrieved and applied to a novel situation, and how different teaching strategies can increase the possibilities for transfer. The program features a 4th-grade teacher and a 7th- and 8th-grade teacher, with expert commentary from Lee S. Shulman, former President of the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.

This episode highlights the SoLD educator preparation principles of curriculum rooted in a deep understanding of learners, learning, and development; supportive developmental relationships in communities of practice; development of skills, habits, and mindsets of an equitable educator; rich, experiential learning opportunities; and pedagogical alignment and modeling.

Expectations for Success: Motivation and Learning

The twelfth episode of "The Learning Classroom" explores how teachers can enhance their students' motivation by encouraging them to be thoughtfully and critically engaged in the learning process, by supporting their drive for mastery and understanding, and by helping them become self-confident. This program takes a second look at classrooms seen previously to show how motivational techniques work in concert with other learning theories. Former Stanford University School of Education Dean Deborah Stipek adds her insight.

This episode highlights the SoLD educator preparation principles of curriculum rooted in a deep understanding of learners, learning, and development; supportive developmental relationships in communities of practice; development of skills, habits, and mindsets of an equitable educator; rich, experiential learning opportunities; and pedagogical alignment and modeling.

Pulling It All Together: Creating Classrooms and Schools That Support Learning

The thirteenth and final episode of "The Learning Classroom" discusses how schools can organize for powerful learning through a coherent, connected approach to teaching and learning that is reinforced and supported by structural features. This session features the staff and students of two schools: a public school in Michigan serving grades 3 through 8 and a first-year charter school in California.

This episode highlights the SoLD educator preparation principles of curriculum rooted in a deep understanding of learners, learning, and development; supportive developmental relationships in communities of practice; development of skills, habits, and mindsets of an equitable educator; rich, experiential learning opportunities; and pedagogical alignment and modeling.

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