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Psychology of Learning for Instruction (3rd Edition). Marcy P. Driscoll. (2005). $72.80. Allyn & Bacon. 476 pp. (hard cover). ISBN: 0-205-37519-7.
The third edition of Psychology of Learning far Instruction describes learning theories that are pertinent to instruction, with a strong focus on the application of theories. It describes theoretical concepts in concrete terms for a broad range of learners. Examples illustrating how to apply abstract learning theories in practical situations benefit both scholars and practitioners in the field of educational technology. The textbook is particularly suitable for graduate-level courses directed toward a wide range of students, including inservice and preservice teachers, instructional designers, trainers, media specialists, administrators, and educators in community colleges.
SIGNIFICANT FEATURES IN PREVIOUS EDITIONS
Psychology of Learning for Instruction (3rd ed.) inherits several notable features found in its previous editions. First, this book practices what it preaches by presenting information in a variety of ways. It uses graphics, scenarios, examples, and opportunities for the reader to summarize, contrast, and synthesize concepts among various theories. second, a concept map at the beginning of each chapter concisely illustrates prominent theories introduced. Third, each learning theory is accompanied by two scenarios that launch the introduction of the theory's characteristics. Fourth, a plethora of figures and tables remarkably transform abstract concepts into concrete notions. For example, on page 19, Figure 1.5 presents pictures to explain how people associate food with TV through Pavlov's three stages of classical conditioning, and on page 254, Figure 7.3 shows the gap of learner capabilities with a conceptual graphic of Vygotsky's zone of proximal development. The wealth of tables throughout the...