Cognitive Science in the Classroom: Development and Implementation of Active Learning Methods to Enhance Reading Comprehension and Motivation

The purpose of the project is to enhance teachers’ knowledge of cognitively grounded learning principles and to develop, implement and evaluate learning activities expected to strengthen pupils’ knowledge acquisition, reading comprehension and motivation for learning.

Who are we?

The project involves teachers and headteachers from three lower secondary schools. Christina Wiklund is a teacher and the local project leader. Maria Wiklund and Martin Eriksson, both teachers, participate together with a further seven colleagues. AnnaMaria Johansson (LTU) is the lead researcher. Christoffer Backlund, Mathias Lindmark and Krister Johansson participate in their roles as headteachers.

The ULF Project Area

The project is grounded in cognitive science principles of learning, where active learning methods – particularly retrieval practice – have been shown to be effective in improving learning. By deepening the group’s knowledge of active learning methods, the project aims to bridge research and classroom practice, with a focus on developing and evaluating such methods. Our hope is that active learning approaches will increase pupils’ ability to engage with texts in social science subjects, where teaching materials are often extensive and include numerous concepts and factual content.

Purpose of the Project

The purpose of the project is to enhance teachers’ knowledge of cognitively grounded learning principles and to develop, implement and evaluate learning activities expected to strengthen pupils’ knowledge acquisition, reading comprehension and motivation for learning.

Implementation and Documentation

The project is carried out through research circles involving lectures, literature studies, professional dialogue and lesson planning. Teachers implement and evaluate teaching activities between project meetings. The effectiveness of the learning methods is evaluated by measuring pupils’ knowledge acquisition and how this knowledge is applied, including in text comprehension. Documentation takes the form of logbooks, meeting notes and written reflections during both meetings and learning activities.

Dissemination of Results

The results are disseminated locally through staff meetings, subject meetings, municipality-wide forums and MULF talks. Further dissemination will take place through conference presentations (including UDiN), and at least one academic article will be published.