On Efficient Learning and the Design of Learning Environment

There are three composing parts of the learning theory as far as teaching is concerned: the theory to describe the knowledge structure and skills based on competent achievements in a certain branch of learning; that to explain learning process and how to obtain the expertise knowledge; and that to expound proper and efficient teaching methods and interventions needed for the learning process. In the tradition of behaviorism, the core issue has always been the study on learning behavior. Yet in the 1950＇s of the twentieth century, due to the rising of the cognitive psychology, the study on learning behavior was gradually diverted to the analysis on the special knowledge of academic disciplines. The study on obtaining process was, to some degree, neglected. But recently, influenced by design of efficient learning environment, researchers began to pay attention to learning phenomenon again and concentrated on developing machine learning models, for people come to realize that the obtaining of know-how is closely linked with special knowledge of academic disciplines. This article illuminates the relationship between learning theory and pedagogy in light of efficient learning and its conditions.One of the main purposes of teaching is to promote learner＇s efficient learning, which is not only the focus that draws attention of learning psychology and education psychology, but also the requirement in the teaching practice. Generally speaking, efficient learning is characterized by the following:● Learning is constructive.● Learning is progressive.●Learning is self-adjusted.●Learning is goal-oriented.●Learning is situational.●Learning is cooperative]In the relationship between efficient learning and learning transfer, efficient learning can＇t exist without learning transfer. Therefore researchers are giving more and more attention to the design and construction of efficient learning environment. There appear some representative ideas to promote obtaining and transference of knowledge:1) Ideas about teaching design, which is a practice-oriented concept.2) Ideas about teaching design concerning obtaining and use of knowledge.3) Ideas about experiment design, which is a notion in order to form science of teaching design.The author believes efficient learning and design of learning environment reflects the application of learning theory in educational psychology to the teaching practice. Designing a learning environment of efficient learning turns out to be an organic fusing point of descriptive learning theory and prescriptive teaching theory.