We owe the notions of surface and in-depth learning to Ference Marton and Roger Säljö, two Swedish researchers from the field of psychology. They were the first to find that the adoption of in-depth learning strategies was associated with a higher level of student success than so-called “surface” learning. Here are seven strategies that are essential for in-depth learning.

infographic on 7 strategies for in-depth learning

  1. Wish to learn, whether that intention is personal, social or academic.
  2. Aspire to take ownership of your learning and develop skills.
  3. Integrate the search for meaning into one’s approach.
  4. Make an effort to understand and apply new learning, build knowledge and be able to transfer it.
  5. Be driven by intrinsic motivation, commitment and emotional involvement.
  6. Actively process information: take a global view of learning, find and organize resources, analyze, identify key concepts, make links between knowledge, etc.
  7. Manage one’s metacognitive processes.
    (Synthesis based on Marton and Säljö, 1976; Rhem, 1995; Wolfs, 1998; Cossette and Larue 2005; Biggs, 2007; Larue and Hrimech, 2009)

Note: Not to be confused with “deep” learning!

One could (almost) say that in-depth learning is to human intelligence what deep learning is to artificial intelligence (AI)… Deep learning, this branch of AI considered the most promising, is a technique that consists of developing in a computer the ability to “learn by itself” thanks to artificial neural networks (see Artificial Intelligence: from manual programming to deep learning and Mini glossary of artificial intelligence).

Our detailed article on this subject:

Related articles:

Catherine Meilleur

Author:
Catherine Meilleur

Creative Content Writer @KnowledgeOne. Questioner of questions. Hyperflexible stubborn. Contemplative yogi.

Catherine Meilleur has over 15 years of experience in research and writing. Having worked as a journalist and educational designer, she is interested in everything related to learning: from educational psychology to neuroscience, and the latest innovations that can serve learners, such as virtual and augmented reality. She is also passionate about issues related to the future of education at a time when a real revolution is taking place, propelled by digital technology and artificial intelligence.