Gurung featured at APS Convention: ‘student learning is the pearl in an oyster’

Human Development Prof. Regan Gurung was a featured speaker at the Association for Psychological Science Annual Convention and his presentation was featured in a follow-up newsletter. “Regan A.R. Gurung proposes that we think of students’ learning using the metaphor of a pearl in an oyster. During the Opening Plenary of the Teaching Institute — cohosted at the convention by APS and the Society for the Teaching of Psychology (STP) — Gurung said that just as a pearl is created by an irritating foreign body being enveloped in layers of nacre by the oyster, so too do new ideas become engaging thoughts in the minds of students. It is the role of the educator to start this process: ‘Let us be the irritant that makes students think and react, lifelong learning is the pearl that develops. In order to cultivate valuable learning, educators must consider how we define learning, the factors that influence learning in the classroom, and strategies to facilitate learning.’”