In his 2005 book, Taking an Intelligent Look at Emotional Intelligence, Guy Claxton stated that “learning cannot happen without emotion”. The process of learning is a deeply emotional one, and emotions often sit at the heart of learning experiences. For example, because learning is underpinned by the potential for both achievement and failure, the propensity for heightened feelings and subsequent emotions is augmented. Adjectives such as “frustrated”, “disappointed”, “exhilarated”,” thrilled”, and “excited” may all be associated with learning at given times, and possibly represent states experienced by anyone that has ever engaged in a learning experience. As such, we can all recognise the emotional component of learning.

In this podcast, Dr Kevin Merry will address the role emotion plays in learning. Specifically, Kevin will focus on the critical role emotions play in supporting learner metacognition, enabling learners to develop the learning expertise characteristic of a Universal Design for Learning (UDL) approach to instruction. Kevin will discuss the practical steps that teachers can take to learn about the social and emotional variability among their learners, and how such information can be used to reduce or remove emotional barriers to learning. An important part of the podcast will require listeners to reflect on the emotional atmospheres they create, and whether such atmospheres are conducive to effective learning for all learners. This session is a must for anyone involved in learning, teaching and assessment in Higher Education. Resources supporting the ideas in the podcast can be accessed at Kevin's website here https://drkevinl.wixsite.com/drkevinlmerry/learner-variability