High School History Recap

#4 The History of Learning and the Learning of History with Prof Donald Clark

William H Palk and Prof Donald Clark Season 4 Episode 4

William talks to the learning expert, Donald Clark, about the history of learning theory and about the best way to teach and learn history.

Questions covered:

  • Where does Donald’s interest in history come from?
  • How has the way in which we learn changed over time?
  • Why is the invention of writing the “Big Bang” moment of collective learning?
  • Why is the invention of binary or computer language such an important moment in the development of learning?
  • Is collective learning our unique trait?
  • How did technology enable collective learning?
  • Who are the experts in the field of learning?
  • Does AI or machine learning give us any insight into human learning?
  • Would it be possible to have Wikipedia in our heads?
  • Who are the people who have changed our perceptions of learning?
  • What are the major strands in learning theory?
  • Have we arrived at a more scientific approach to understanding learning?
  • What is the connection between learning and teaching?
  • To what extent can the teacher be held responsible for the student's learning?
  • Does critical thinking hold up as an abstract concept?
  • How should we teach history if learning theories are incorporated?
  • Why is it important to make history teaching more concrete?
  • How should history teachers think about online learning design?
  • Why should we let go of Bloom’s taxonomy?
  • Donald’s advice to learn more effectively...

You might want to read up on the following people: James Hutton, David C Geary, Daniel Kahneman, James Mark Baldwin, Tommy Flowers, Robin Dunbar, Douglas Engelbart, Clay Shirky, Donald Hebb, Herman Ebbinghaus, Edward Tolman, Albert Bandura, Henry Roediger, Jeffrey D Karpicke, Robert A Bjork, Barak Rosenshine, Robert Marzano, John Hattie, Paul Black and Dylan William.

Or just visit Donald's blog here. He is also on twitter @DonaldClark

Please let us know what you thought about this episode at highschoolhistoryrecap@gmail.com or find us on twitter: William and Colin.

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