The Unified Learning Model

Abstract

The Unified Learning Model (ULM) is a model of how people learn and a resulting model of teaching and instruction. The academic literature is filled with models about learning, teaching and instruction. The most obvious question then is, “Why do we need another theory/model of learning?” Our answer is that the current literature contains only limited theories about isolated specific learning and instructional phenomena. As a result each of these theories explains some, but not all learning phenomena. In addition, each tends to have its own vocabulary. The result is a hodge-podge of specific learning principles and teaching guidelines that often seem in conflict with each other.