About Sylvia Downs
Sylvia has worked for many years in research into how people learn, with special emphasis on people who have had to deal with change, in her work as an Occupational Psychologist.
Sylvia currently works with Diversity Awareness Now, helping with the design of training programs that suit older people.
Learn how to learn!
See our list of books, websites and articles to support effective learning
Effective Learning
Principles of Effective Learning
After Sunday promotes an approach to effective learning that is based on the work of Prof Sylvia Downs
We try to adopt these principles of effective learning in the way they we work with groups and in the learning materials that we put together.
We are also keen to help and encourage others who have the task of facilitating the learning of others to do so in ways that are consistent with these principles.
Sylvia Downs identifies 10 key principles about effective learning
- Learners need to know where they are going and have a sense of progress towards their objectives.
- The learning environment has to be one of trust, respect, openness and acceptance of differences.
- Being aware of, and owning the responsibility for learning lies with the learner. Others can only provide information and support, and provide feedback.
- Learners need to participate actively in the learning process.
- Learning should be related to, and use the learner's experience and knowledge.
- Learning is not only a basic capability, but also a group of skills that can be developed and learned.
- Facts, concepts and skills are learned in different ways.
- Getting ideas wrong can be a valuable aid to developing understanding.
- For learning to be processed and assimilated, time must be allowed for reflection.
- Effective learning depends on realistic, objective and constructive feedback.