Discovery learning encourages students to learn on their own through active involvement with concepts and principles. Teachers encourage students to have experiences and conduct experiments that permit them to discover principles for themselves. This site will give information about the advantages of discovery learning in the classroom, discovery learning with computer simulations, ideas for using discovery learning in the classroom, and the three types of discovery learning. Direct instruction versus discovery learning is also discussed at one of the sites.
1. Discovery Learning This site discusses the advantages of discovery learning. The site includes the benefits of this method of learning for the student. Reasons why this method is more beneficial to students than other methods are also included.
2. Discovery Learning With Computer Simulations Among the types of computer-based environments that are suitable for discovery learning, computer simulations is the one most frequently used. The site includes a review of the types of simulations that are used in instructional settings, theories of discovery learning, learner characteristics that play a role in discovery learning, observed effectiveness and efficiency of discovery learning in simulation environments, together with problems that learners may encounter in discovery learning, and how simulations may be combined with instructional support in order to overcome these problems.
3. Educational Ideas to Promote Discovery Learning This site provides ideas for the educator in promoting discovery learning in the science curriculum. The ideas are good for Kindergarten to 12th grade.
4. Thoughts on Discovery Learning This site gives a brief overview of discovery learning. It also includes situations in which students engage in discovery learning. There are three types of discovery learning and the site includes links to each type. The site discusses which type of discovery learning is more teacher-directed or student-directed.
5. Direct Instruction vs. Discovery Learning Some researchers say direct instruction is better than discovery learning in teaching science in elementary school. This site gives the opinion of researchers from Carnegie Mellon as to why direct instruction is better.
Created by Mandy
Wigington for Educational Psychology (PSY 306), Fall 1999.
Last updated November 16, 1999.