How Learning Works by Susan A. Ambrose Summary

How Learning Works by Susan A. Ambrose presents seven research-based principles that explain how students learn and how educators can apply these insights to improve teaching effectiveness. The book bridges cognitive science research with practical classroom strategies, addressing common teaching challenges like why students struggle to apply knowledge, cling to misconceptions, or use ineffective study strategies. It provides instructors with actionable approaches across all disciplines and institution types.

Susan A. Ambrose is a Senior Vice Provost at Northeastern University and a leading expert in teaching and learning. She co-authored How Learning Works with Michael W. Bridges, Marsha C. Lovett, Michele DiPietro, and Marie K. Norman, drawing on over twenty-nine years of consulting experience with faculty about effective instruction. Her work focuses on translating cognitive science and educational psychology research into practical teaching strategies that enhance student learning outcomes.

How Learning Works is essential for college faculty members, graduate students, instructional designers, faculty developers, and librarians seeking to improve their teaching effectiveness. The book also benefits K-12 educators and anyone involved in curriculum design or educational leadership. Whether you're a novice instructor or experienced professor, the research-based principles apply across disciplines, cultures, and educational contexts, making it valuable for educators at any experience level.

How Learning Works is widely regarded as an essential read for educators, receiving critical acclaim since its 2010 publication. The book effectively bridges the gap between learning research and practical classroom application, offering concrete strategies rather than abstract theory. Its seven principles resonate across disciplines and cultures, from Latin America to Asia, providing instructors with evidence-based approaches that directly address common teaching challenges and enhance student learning outcomes.

The seven principles of How Learning Works address fundamental aspects of student learning:

• prior knowledge can help or hinder learning
• knowledge organization affects application
• motivation determines learning engagement
• mastery requires skill integration and practice
• goal-directed practice with feedback enhances learning
• course climate impacts student success
• self-directed learning requires metacognitive skills

Each principle is supported by cognitive science research and accompanied by specific classroom implementation strategies.

Prior knowledge serves as the foundation for new learning, influencing how students filter and interpret information, according to How Learning Works. When activated effectively through strategies like brainstorming, prior knowledge enhances retention and understanding by helping students connect new concepts to existing frameworks. However, inaccurate prior knowledge or misconceptions can hinder learning, requiring educators to assess students' existing understanding and address faulty assumptions before introducing new material.

How Learning Works identifies motivation as the force that determines, directs, and sustains learning behaviors. The book recommends connecting course material to students' interests, providing authentic real-world tasks that demonstrate practical application, and clearly articulating learning goals to boost confidence and engagement. Understanding what motivates students—including value, expectancy, and environment factors—helps instructors create learning experiences that energize rather than discourage student participation and persistence.

Knowledge organization determines whether students can retrieve and apply information effectively, according to How Learning Works. The book emphasizes that students need to organize information in structured, interconnected ways rather than isolated facts to facilitate transfer and problem-solving. Instructors should provide initial organizing schemes like concept maps or frameworks, then monitor how students process information to ensure they're building meaningful connections rather than simply memorizing disconnected pieces.

How Learning Works explains that mastery requires three components: acquiring component skills, integrating them into cohesive performance, and knowing when to apply them. The book emphasizes deliberate practice—focused, goal-directed repetition with targeted feedback—as essential for skill development. Instructors should break down complex performances into manageable components, provide opportunities for practice aligned with learning goals, and offer timely feedback that helps students refine their abilities and self-correct.

Course climate—the intellectual, social, emotional, and physical environment—significantly impacts student learning, according to How Learning Works. A positive climate energizes students and promotes engagement, while negative climates create anxiety and hinder participation, particularly for underrepresented groups. The book recommends creating inclusive environments through clear expectations, respectful interactions, and recognition of diverse student backgrounds to ensure all learners feel valued and supported in taking intellectual risks.

Self-directed learning involves students' ability to monitor their comprehension, evaluate their learning strategies, and adjust their approaches based on task demands, according to How Learning Works. The book emphasizes metacognitive skills—thinking about one's own thinking—as essential for academic success and lifelong learning. Instructors can foster self-directed learning by teaching students to assess their understanding, recognize when strategies aren't working, and consciously select more effective approaches for different learning situations.

How Learning Works bridges the gap between learning research and classroom practice by distilling cognitive science into seven actionable principles rather than overwhelming educators with theoretical jargon. Unlike purely theoretical texts, each chapter provides specific, research-based strategies for implementation across disciplines and contexts. The book's strength lies in addressing recurring teaching problems faculty face universally—such as why students can't apply knowledge or cling to misconceptions—with evidence-based solutions that work regardless of subject matter or institution type.