by Celia Leanne Franze
How Students Learn (and Why It Matters for Teaching)
Understanding how students learn is crucial for designing effective and engaging learning experiences. Research from cognitive science and education and psychology provides valuable insights into the mechanisms of learning, allowing educators to create environments that foster deep understanding, problem-solving, and lifelong learning.
At ThinkPlus, we focus on translating these insights into practical strategies and learning activities that empower both educators and students. By integrating metacognition, cognitive flexibility, neuroplasticity and emotional granularity into learning, we ensure that students not only acquire knowledge but also develop the skills to think about their thinking, manage their emotions, and adapt to new challenges.
Learning is not just about exposure to new ideas—it’s about making permanent changes in long-term memory. If students forget what they have learned, they haven’t truly learned it. Lasting learning occurs when students actively encode, retrieve, and apply knowledge in meaningful ways. ThinkPlus prioritises neural pathway development through explicitly teaching Neuroplasticity, embedding retrieval practice in lessons, and appreciating cognitive flexibility for neurodivergent thinkers, ensuring that all students strengthen connections in their long-term memory rather than relying on short-term cramming. To reinforce memory, all lessons across a schools learning program should include regular retrieval practice, helping students recall and apply knowledge frequently.
Working memory has a limited capacity, which means that when students are overwhelmed with too much information, their ability to retain and apply knowledge is diminished. Managing cognitive load is vital as too much information at once can hinder learning. ThinkPlus addresses this by scaffolding learning, breaking content into manageable chunks, and encouraging students to think about their thinking through structured reflection. To support this, educators would use explicit instruction, step-by-step scaffolding, and guided practice before expecting students to apply new knowledge independently.
Actively recalling information—rather than simply reviewing it—strengthens neural pathways (Neuroplasticity) and enhances retention. Retrieval practice is one of the most effective strategies for long-term learning, as it strengthens memory and improves the ability to apply knowledge in different contexts. Instead of re-reading or highlighting, students should quiz themselves, summarise concepts in their own words, and apply their knowledge in varied ways to deepen understanding.ThinkPlus learning sequences and lesson plans integrate spaced retrieval, self-explanation strategies, and metacognitive reflection to support knowledge retention.
All learners don’t just store facts in isolation—we construct mental models that help us organise and apply knowledge meaningfully. In our classrooms, mastery is achieved when students can see connections between ideas and transfer learning to new contexts. Educators can support this process by helping students connect new knowledge to prior learning using schema-building strategies, such as graphic organisers and storytelling techniques. ThinkPlus encourages students to form and refine mental models through concept mapping, analogy-making, and creative problem-solving.
When our students believe they can succeed, they engage more deeply with the learning content. Motivation and emotion play a crucial role in learning, as a sense of belonging, emotional regulation, and self-efficacy all influence academic outcomes. To cultivate these skills, teachers should foster mindsets for learning by celebrating effort, providing meaningful feedback, and ensuring students experience success in incremental steps. The ThinkPlus Emotional Granularity teaching resources help students recognise and regulate emotions to enhance focus, resilience, and motivation.
Learning happens best when students are actively involved—whether through discussion, collaboration, inquiry, or hands-on application. Research shows that deep learning is fostered when students engage in meaningful tasks that require critical thinking and problem-solving. Educators can facilitate deep learning by using inquiry-based learning, project-based challenges, and hands-on experiences that encourage students to think deeply and make meaningful connections. In addition to including these important pedagogical approaches, ThinkPlus also champions experiential learning, creative problem-solving, and critical thinking as essential components of engagement.
Bringing It All Together
At ThinkPlus, we integrate cutting-edge research into practical, classroom-ready strategies that help educators unlock students’ potential. By understanding how students learn best—through memory consolidation, structured learning, retrieval practice, emotional granularity, and active engagement—we can transform classrooms into spaces where deep learning thrives.
Want to learn more about applying these strategies in your school? Connect with us to become a ThinkPlus School.
Resource
https://www.edresearch.edu.au/research/research-reports/how-students-learn-best-overview-evidence