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Ausubel's Meaningful Learning in Action
American psychologist and psychiatrist David Ausubel is well known for his famous quote:
"The most important single factor influencing learning is what the learner already knows. Ascertain this and teach him accordingly" (Ausubel, 1968, vi).
But few know about the richness and importance of his assimilation theory of meaningful learning and retention, which holds many more instruction-altering insights. One of the main reasons why this theory is so important is because it focuses on the end goal teachers are after: teachers don't want students to memorise distinct ideas; teachers want students to develop vast bodies of knowledge in the subjects they are taught. Ausubel explains that the only way to achieve this is through supporting students to learn meaningfully.
This book explores the key elements of the theory and what it means to learn meaningfully. It then links the theory to highly practical implications teachers can use day-to-day in all aspects of their teaching.
"The most important single factor influencing learning is what the learner already knows. Ascertain this and teach him accordingly" (Ausubel, 1968, vi).
But few know about the richness and importance of his assimilation theory of meaningful learning and retention, which holds many more instruction-altering insights. One of the main reasons why this theory is so important is because it focuses on the end goal teachers are after: teachers don't want students to memorise distinct ideas; teachers want students to develop vast bodies of knowledge in the subjects they are taught. Ausubel explains that the only way to achieve this is through supporting students to learn meaningfully.
This book explores the key elements of the theory and what it means to learn meaningfully. It then links the theory to highly practical implications teachers can use day-to-day in all aspects of their teaching.
- GenresEducation
120 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 14, 2023
18 people are currently reading
30 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
August 3, 2025
Fantastic series - short and sweet explanations of essential educational theories. This book explains Ausubel’s theory of how to build lasting knowledge by carefully scaffolding presentations. Start with the big idea and clearly link details to the umbrella concept and to each other to develop broad and nuanced understanding.
The author uses Ausubel’s theory to structure her own summary, leading to a very clear and stable understanding for the reader. What a masterful treatment of such essential and foundational knowledge.
The author uses Ausubel’s theory to structure her own summary, leading to a very clear and stable understanding for the reader. What a masterful treatment of such essential and foundational knowledge.
July 7, 2024
I'd like to see a bit more on assessment and motivation. But with that said Cottingham is clearly the best of those writing on cognitive science by being able to maintain a vision of what quality learning looks like. I hope she writes more and I hope she adds in something pertaining to modeling instruction.
October 12, 2023
Loved this book really; I’m super into theory. Provokes lots of thought around relations of theory to practice. Most impress here tho by its organization and composition; it’s an inspiring book to read in its measured clarity. Also makes me think abt quality materials vertically designed
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews