WGU D186 Learning as a Science Objective
Assessment | OA Questions and Answers –
2026 Update | 100% Correct | Graded A+
Question 1 (Multiple choice)
What is the primary purpose of the learning sciences as a field of study?
A) To memorize educational theories for standardized tests
B) To understand how people learn and apply that knowledge to improve
instruction
C) To replace traditional teaching methods with technology
D) To create standardized curricula for all students
Answer: B (The primary purpose of the learning sciences is to understand how
people learn and apply that knowledge to improve instruction. The field emerged
as researchers recognized limitations in traditional educational research, which
often focused on lab settings and classroom instruction.)
Question 2 (Multiple choice)
The learning sciences field is considered interdisciplinary because it draws from:
A) Only psychology and education
B) Only neuroscience and biology
C) Psychology, neuroscience, education, sociology, and cognitive science
D) Only technology and engineering
Answer: C (The learning sciences are interdisciplinary, drawing from psychology,
neuroscience, education, sociology, and cognitive science. This interdisciplinary
nature helps researchers understand cognitive and social processes to design more
effective learning environments.)
,Question 3 (Multiple choice)
Historically, the learning sciences emerged as a field because:
A) Traditional educational research was too expensive
B) Researchers recognized limitations in traditional educational research that
focused on lab settings
C) Technology made new research methods possible
D) Teachers demanded new approaches to teaching
Answer: B (The field emerged as researchers recognized limitations in traditional
educational research, which often focused on lab settings and classroom
instruction. This recognition led to more authentic, classroom-based research
approaches.)
Question 4 (Multiple choice)
How can the learning sciences be applied to improve teaching and learning?
A) By having students memorize facts through repetition
B) By having students connect different parts of their brains through varied
activities instead of constant lecturing
C) By using only technology-based instruction
D) By eliminating all group work
Answer: B (The learning sciences can be applied to improve teaching and learning
by having students connect different parts of their brains by doing different
activities instead of lecturing constantly—e.g., dancing, group discussion, sing-
alongs.)
Question 5 (Multiple choice)
Which of the following best describes the interdisciplinary nature of the learning
sciences?
A) It focuses exclusively on classroom management techniques
B) It seeks to understand cognitive and social processes to design more
effective learning environments
,C) It relies solely on laboratory experiments
D) It only applies to early childhood education
Answer: B (The interdisciplinary nature of the learning sciences involves trying to
understand the cognitive and social processes to design more effective learning
environments.)
Question 6 (Multiple choice)
Brain-based learning is an approach to teaching that:
A) Focuses only on memorization techniques
B) Is grounded in the latest research on how the brain learns best
C) Ignores individual neurological differences
D) Relies only on lectures
Answer: B (Brain-based learning is an approach to teaching that is grounded in the
latest research on how the brain learns best. Strategies that align with the natural
learning processes of the brain make education more effective and engaging.)
Question 7 (Multiple choice)
Factors that significantly impact how well students learn, according to brain-based
learning research, include:
A) Only intelligence and prior knowledge
B) Emotion, environment, repetition, and individual neurological differences
C) Only the teacher's qualifications
D) Only the textbook quality
Answer: B (Factors like emotion, environment, repetition, and individual
neurological differences significantly impact how well students learn.)
Question 8 (Multiple choice)
The learning sciences are considered a relatively new field that emerged:
A) In the 18th century
B) In the early 1900s
, C) In the late 20th century
D) In the 21st century
Answer: C (The learning sciences emerged as a distinct field in the late 20th
century when researchers recognized the limitations of traditional educational
research and began integrating insights from multiple disciplines.)
Question 9 (Multiple choice)
Which of the following is NOT a discipline that contributes to the learning
sciences?
A) Psychology
B) Neuroscience
C) Cognitive Science
D) Astrology
Answer: D (The learning sciences draw from psychology, neuroscience,
education, sociology, and cognitive science. Astrology is not a contributing
discipline.)
Question 10 (Multiple choice)
What makes the learning sciences different from traditional educational research?
A) It ignores classroom practice
B) It focuses on authentic learning environments and real-world application
C) It only uses laboratory experiments
D) It relies on intuition rather than research
Answer: B (The learning sciences focus on authentic learning environments and
real-world application, unlike traditional educational research that often focused on
lab settings.)
Brain-Based Learning Principles (Q11–Q20)
Question 11 (Multiple choice)
Assessment | OA Questions and Answers –
2026 Update | 100% Correct | Graded A+
Question 1 (Multiple choice)
What is the primary purpose of the learning sciences as a field of study?
A) To memorize educational theories for standardized tests
B) To understand how people learn and apply that knowledge to improve
instruction
C) To replace traditional teaching methods with technology
D) To create standardized curricula for all students
Answer: B (The primary purpose of the learning sciences is to understand how
people learn and apply that knowledge to improve instruction. The field emerged
as researchers recognized limitations in traditional educational research, which
often focused on lab settings and classroom instruction.)
Question 2 (Multiple choice)
The learning sciences field is considered interdisciplinary because it draws from:
A) Only psychology and education
B) Only neuroscience and biology
C) Psychology, neuroscience, education, sociology, and cognitive science
D) Only technology and engineering
Answer: C (The learning sciences are interdisciplinary, drawing from psychology,
neuroscience, education, sociology, and cognitive science. This interdisciplinary
nature helps researchers understand cognitive and social processes to design more
effective learning environments.)
,Question 3 (Multiple choice)
Historically, the learning sciences emerged as a field because:
A) Traditional educational research was too expensive
B) Researchers recognized limitations in traditional educational research that
focused on lab settings
C) Technology made new research methods possible
D) Teachers demanded new approaches to teaching
Answer: B (The field emerged as researchers recognized limitations in traditional
educational research, which often focused on lab settings and classroom
instruction. This recognition led to more authentic, classroom-based research
approaches.)
Question 4 (Multiple choice)
How can the learning sciences be applied to improve teaching and learning?
A) By having students memorize facts through repetition
B) By having students connect different parts of their brains through varied
activities instead of constant lecturing
C) By using only technology-based instruction
D) By eliminating all group work
Answer: B (The learning sciences can be applied to improve teaching and learning
by having students connect different parts of their brains by doing different
activities instead of lecturing constantly—e.g., dancing, group discussion, sing-
alongs.)
Question 5 (Multiple choice)
Which of the following best describes the interdisciplinary nature of the learning
sciences?
A) It focuses exclusively on classroom management techniques
B) It seeks to understand cognitive and social processes to design more
effective learning environments
,C) It relies solely on laboratory experiments
D) It only applies to early childhood education
Answer: B (The interdisciplinary nature of the learning sciences involves trying to
understand the cognitive and social processes to design more effective learning
environments.)
Question 6 (Multiple choice)
Brain-based learning is an approach to teaching that:
A) Focuses only on memorization techniques
B) Is grounded in the latest research on how the brain learns best
C) Ignores individual neurological differences
D) Relies only on lectures
Answer: B (Brain-based learning is an approach to teaching that is grounded in the
latest research on how the brain learns best. Strategies that align with the natural
learning processes of the brain make education more effective and engaging.)
Question 7 (Multiple choice)
Factors that significantly impact how well students learn, according to brain-based
learning research, include:
A) Only intelligence and prior knowledge
B) Emotion, environment, repetition, and individual neurological differences
C) Only the teacher's qualifications
D) Only the textbook quality
Answer: B (Factors like emotion, environment, repetition, and individual
neurological differences significantly impact how well students learn.)
Question 8 (Multiple choice)
The learning sciences are considered a relatively new field that emerged:
A) In the 18th century
B) In the early 1900s
, C) In the late 20th century
D) In the 21st century
Answer: C (The learning sciences emerged as a distinct field in the late 20th
century when researchers recognized the limitations of traditional educational
research and began integrating insights from multiple disciplines.)
Question 9 (Multiple choice)
Which of the following is NOT a discipline that contributes to the learning
sciences?
A) Psychology
B) Neuroscience
C) Cognitive Science
D) Astrology
Answer: D (The learning sciences draw from psychology, neuroscience,
education, sociology, and cognitive science. Astrology is not a contributing
discipline.)
Question 10 (Multiple choice)
What makes the learning sciences different from traditional educational research?
A) It ignores classroom practice
B) It focuses on authentic learning environments and real-world application
C) It only uses laboratory experiments
D) It relies on intuition rather than research
Answer: B (The learning sciences focus on authentic learning environments and
real-world application, unlike traditional educational research that often focused on
lab settings.)
Brain-Based Learning Principles (Q11–Q20)
Question 11 (Multiple choice)
