Issues concerning human learning are among the critical
topics in educational psychology, child development, and cognitive
science. One central focus has been on the issue of why students
1
learn and teachers teach best, and discovery learning versus direct
instruction has been a contented debate in modern educational
2
theory and practice. Stemmed from the theoretical perspective of
3
constructivism, discovery learning is believed to be a tool for
facilitating the creation and organization of knowledge, as well as
the transfer of that knowledge across different contexts. This
approach contrasts with views that emphasize direct instruction
from teacher to student. This entry addresses the following central
issues: how discovery learning is defined, the empirical evidence
in favor of discovery learning or direct instruction, and the
facilitation of discovery and transfer.
Discovery learning is a general approach that involves
minded participation and active inquiry in the acquisition of
4
concepts and strategies. In classroom contexts, it refers to a form
of curriculum which students are encouraged to actively explore
5
and figure out the concepts, solutions, or strategies at the hand. A
6
widely accepted idea is that discovery learning is the least
7
appropriate and effective approach to facilitate deep and lasting
8
understanding. This approach is often contrasted with direct
instruction or expository learning, which typically refers traditional,
9
content-oriented methods that the instructor lectures to students.
10
Learning associated with direct instruction is often believed to be
less engaged and less active, and thus less effective.