How People Learn – Principles & Impact on Student Learning

Four research-based principles from How People Learn (Goldman & Pellegrino, 2015), focusing on practical, student-centered strategies that K–12 teachers can apply across all subjects. The goal is to improve student engagement, retention, and mastery, especially for English Learners (ELs), in districts like San Bernardino City Unified School District.

Key Learning Principles & Best Practices

1. Activate Prior Knowledge & Cultural Backgrounds
   
   

   • Learning is deeper when students’ experiences, culture, and language are acknowledged.
     
     

   • Strategies: K-W-L charts, storytelling, culturally relevant content, bilingual support.
     
     

2. Organize Knowledge for Deep Understanding
   
   

   • Students retain more when they see connections between concepts and real-life contexts.
     
     

   • Strategies: Focus on big ideas, use concept maps and inquiry-based tasks.
     
     

3. Promote Metacognition & Feedback for Learning
   
   

   • Self-reflection and meaningful feedback boost learning and ownership.
     
     

   • Strategies: Formative assessments, goal setting, targeted feedback.
     
     

4. Foster Social Learning in a Supportive Community

Overview: The fourth principle of How People Learn reminds us that learning is fundamentally social.This principle emphasizes the importance of learning with and from others in a safe, inclusive environment. It highlights how collaboration, peer feedback, and shared experiences deepen understanding and motivation. A supportive community encourages learners to take risks, ask questions, and build knowledge together, creating a sense of belonging that enhances both academic and personal growth.

4. • Students learn better in collaborative, inclusive environments.
     
     

   • Strategies: Cooperative learning (e.g., Think-Pair-Share), differentiation, inclusive classroom culture.

Best Practices: 

• Implement cooperative learning strategies (Think-Pair-Share, Jigsaw, group discussions).

• Differentiate instruction to meet diverse learning needs, ensuring ELs and struggling learners receive targeted support.

• Build a positive, inclusive classroom culture where students feel safe, valued, and motivated to engage.

Learning Is Fundamentally interpersonal, often occurring in and through social interactions.