application of the learning sciences

We design our courses on evidence gathered from rigorous applications of the scientific method. We develop our courses using research from the learning sciences and beyond, synthesizing psychology, neurobiology, computer science, and education research methods to address how people learn, and translate that research to improvements in instruction.

We have compiled a list of research-based learning principles and strategies employed throughout 7.05x. For each principle or strategy, we note which course assets are relevant.

A mapping of evidence-based strategies stemming from the learning sciences (gray outer nodes) to course assets (colorful inner nodes). The course assets are color-coded by function: green = pre-instruction, yellow = multimedia, purple = supporting resources, blue = formative assessments, and orange = summative assessment. Hover over a node to see the connections between the principle from the learning sciences and the course asset. Click a node to see more description.

We received a silver award in the science of learning category at the 2019 Reimagine Education conference in London during December 2019. We described a plan to promote and share the application of the learning sciences in MOOC design as the project.