Good teaching and learning share a few timeless rules. They have held true for over a century. So what are the seven laws of learning?
Here is the short answer. They are seven classic rules for how knowledge passes from one mind to another.
They come from a famous old book on teaching. Each law names one part of learning that must work.
This guide walks through all seven in plain terms. As we say, the more things change, the more they stay the same.
What are the seven laws of learning?
The seven laws come from a classic book by John Milton Gregory. It is called The Seven Laws of Teaching.
Each law points to one link in the chain. There is the teacher, the learner, the language, and the lesson.
Then come the two processes, teaching and learning, and finally review. Miss one link, and learning weakens.
So the seven laws map the whole path of learning. They show what must be present for real understanding.
Did you know?
These laws were written back in 1884 by John Milton Gregory. Yet they still match how modern research says people learn.
The seven laws of learning
Here is each law in plain terms. Together they form a simple, timeless guide.
See the flow? Teacher, learner, language, lesson, then think, rethink, and review. That is the full loop.
How to use the seven laws
These laws are old, but they still work. You can use them to study or to teach.
As a learner, lean on law seven. Review and apply what you learn, using active recall.
You can also use law four. Tie each new idea to something you already know, so it fits in your mind.
Old laws, modern science. See the seven principles of learning to see how research backs these timeless rules.
Laws versus principles of learning
You may wonder how these laws differ from the modern principles. The answer is simple.
The seven laws are older and broader. They map the whole act of teaching and learning.
The modern principles zoom in on the learner. Yet both point the same way, toward active, connected learning.
Frequently asked questions
What are the seven laws of learning?
The teacher, the learner, the language, the lesson, the teaching process, the learning process, and review.
Where do the seven laws come from?
From the 1884 book The Seven Laws of Teaching by John Milton Gregory, a classic in education.
Are the seven laws still useful?
Yes. They are old, but they still match how modern research says people learn best.
What is the most important law for learners?
Law seven, review and application. Reviewing and using an idea is what makes it stick.
How are laws different from principles?
The laws are older and broader, covering teaching and learning. The modern principles focus on the learner.
How can I apply the laws today?
Link new ideas to old ones, rethink them in your own words, then review and teach them to others.
Want to put these to use? See the most powerful learning method and how to study 10X faster.
So, what are the seven laws of learning? The teacher, learner, language, lesson, teaching, learning, and review.
Use them to study or to teach, and learning gets stronger. These old rules still light the way today.