A Master in Learning

The book *A Master in Learning* was written in response to the needs of students in teacher training programmes for a practical, readable, and study-friendly book on learning theories and learning processes. This book meets that need, as it is written in clear language and is replete with practical examples of how learning theories can be applied in the daily educational practice of secondary education (general secondary education and pre-vocational secondary education).

The book provides connections, guidelines, and tips for concrete action in everyday educational practice.

Part I of the book covers the three major learning theories: behaviourism, cognitivism, and constructivism. These three theoretical streams, which more or less succeed each other over time, each view the nature of learning differently. According to the behaviourist learning theory, learning is the acquisition or extinction of behaviour. In the cognitivist learning theory, learning is seen as an information-processing process, while in the constructivist learning theory, learning is regarded as the (joint) construction of knowledge. Part I focuses on questions such as: How is learning accomplished? What is learned? What is your role as a teacher in this?

Part II of the book deals with learning processes. In the literature on learning processes, various educational concepts are described, such as motivation, executive functioning, and metacognition. These concepts are explained and illustrated with practical examples. Part II focuses on questions such as: How do you motivate students? What is executive functioning? What can you do as a teacher to stimulate students' metacognitive skills?

This book was written by dedicated teacher trainers with the conviction that educational knowledge has very practical applications in educational practice and that this knowledge is crucial to becoming a good teacher. We hope that as a reader of this book, you will appreciate the theory of learning and that the book will help you become a master in learning!