Daytona State professor’s learning theory earning global acclaim

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Nov. 22, 2013) - Seeing John Connor in action - teaching and discussing ideas with students at Daytona State College - shows a dedicated professor, with no hint of the growing acclaim for his “Revelation Theory of Learning.”

For over a decade, the soft-spoken, modest professor has evolved a theory that learning is a multi-sensory experience, with visual perception the dominant facilitator. Connor has honed his years as a K-12 teacher, school psychologist and professor in Daytona State’s School of Behavioral and Social Sciences into a learning theory that maximizes students’ ability to understand and retain knowledge.

Connor’s “Revelation Theory of Learning” has drawn critical acclaim, particularly in Europe and Canada and numerous U.S. states. His book on the subject, Frames of Learning: Revelation Theory of Learning, was published in 2012 by Kendall Hunt Publishing and received high marks by reviewers, with one noting, “Mr. Connor has written a great book for the masses on the wonders of the human mind. In it you will find information about all of the senses and how they work to keep us on top of the totem pole in the animal kingdom.”

The book was recently translated into French. Connor also has been invited to present at the 21st annual Conference on Childhood Education, March 16-20, 2014, at Harris Manchester College in Oxford, England. Harris Manchester College, founded in 1786, is one of the 38 colleges that form the University of Oxford.

RTL is an instructional method that is universal, Connor said. It can be used for all subject matter and all types of students, from K-20, including those with learning disabilities and varied learning styles. “Revelation” is actually an acronym that contains the seven elements Connor says are required for effective instructional delivery:

• R = Repetition – What Connor calls the most important factor in learning and long-term retention of information. 
• EV = Effective Visuals – Connor suggests that, as humans, our primary sense is vision, so it is important to develop effective visuals for instructional delivery.
• EL = Effective Language - This means speaking in a manner that students can understand. “If you really want to lose a class, use sophisticated language,” he said.
• A = Association – “We know scientifically that our brain learns by association,” Connor said. “It is critical to enhancing student understanding of learning objectives.”
• TI = Technology Integration – Here, Connor means developing multisensory and rapidly deployed classroom technology that is interactive, and supplements the teaching and learning experience.
• O = Observation – One of the most important aspects of quality instruction, he said, noting, “Constant observation of your learners helps the instructor discern without loss of momentum what to do next to optimize understanding and attention.”
• N= Non-Biased delivery of instruction – “This, to me, is the modern Socratic method of instruction,” Connor said. “Ask questions and your students will become active learners.”

Despite its global acclaim, Connor, who joined Daytona State College in 1998, says his theory is merely an extension of the iconic work of cognitive development theorists such as Jean Piaget, B.F. Skinner, Albert Bandura and Howard Gardner. “I’m merely standing on the shoulders of giants who came before me,” he said.

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