Learn and Serve America's National Service-Learning Clearinghouse

Instruction is more effective in context of meaning, as well as the prior knowledge and experience of the learner. Supporting evidence for its effectiveness is provided form psychology, neuroscience, physics, and biology. Contextual teaching and learning (CTL) consists of eight components: making connections that hold meaning, self-regulated learning, doing significant work, collaboration, critical and creative thinking, nurturing the individual. Focusing on the k-12 level, includes sections on standards, evaluation, and assessment.