How do people learn? How can instruction promote learning? This new text by a noted scholar thoroughly and succinctly answers these two fundamental educational psychology questions. The author focuses on the “big” ideas, preferring that students understand a few exemplary ideas deeply, rather than numerous ideas superficially. He organizes coverage around the two “sides” of the educational “coin:” learning in subject areas and instructional methods that foster meaningful learning; and explaining what research says about the learning/teaching process. The text uses clear definitions, concrete examples, and a conversational writing style that easily engages students by addressing them directly.