Learning Research and Development Center

The Learning Research and Development Center (LRDC) at the University of Pittsburgh is an interdisciplinary center focused on describing, understanding, improving, and researching various aspects of human cognition, learning in order to improve and reform instruction and training in schools and the workplaces. Co-founded in 1963 by Robert Glaser, it was among the first such centers in the world focusing on field of fundamental learning studies. [http://www.chronicle.pitt.edu/media/pcc060530/GLASER_tribute_2006MAY30.html] Early funding support in 1968-1969 came by way of a $5.6 million grant from the U.S. Office of Education for facilities and a $1.2 million grant for program expansion from the National Science Foundation. [http://digital.library.pitt.edu/cgi-bin/t/text/pageviewer-idx?c=pittmiscpubs;cc=pittmiscpubs;g=documentingpitt;xc=1;xg=1;q1=lrdc;rgn=full%20text;idno=00c50130m;didno=00c50130m;view=image;seq=394;page=root;size=s;frm=frameset]

Currently composed of 24 faculty from across the departments and schools at the university, the center focuses on interdisciplinary approaches to research. Among the faculty are education researchers, cognitive scientists, computer scientists, developmental and social psychologists, psycholinguists, evaluation and measurement specialists, organizational behavior researchers, and education policy analysts. A supporting research staff of over 150 research associates, as well as post-doctoral fellows, graduate students, and undergraduate students, contribute to research undertaken at the LRDC. The Director of the LRDC is Charles Perfetti who succeeded Lauren Resnick who served as LRDC director from 1977 through 2008. [http://www.chronicle.pitt.edu/?p=476] [http://www.chronicle.pitt.edu/?p=1497]

Building

Funded in part from a $5.6 million grant awarded in 1969 from the U.S. Office of Education, the $7 million eight-story building [http://digital.library.pitt.edu/cgi-bin/t/text/pageviewer-idx?c=pittmiscpubs;cc=pittmiscpubs;g=documentingpitt;xc=1;xg=1;q1=lrdc;rgn=full%20text;idno=00c50130m;didno=00c50130m;view=image;seq=423;page=root;size=s;frm=frameset;] was designed by Harrison and Max Abramovitz. Winner of several architectural awards, [ [http://www.tour.pitt.edu/tour-117.html Learning Research and Development Center; Tour of Campus; University of Pittsburgh; accessdate=2008-08-22] ] the unique building slopes at a 45 degree angle along an upper campus hillside. Opened in 1974, it contains offices, experimental classrooms, teaching labs, demonstration areas, and lecture areas with advanced audiovisual and computer equipment. [http://digital.library.pitt.edu/cgi-bin/t/text/pageviewer-idx?c=pittmiscpubs;cc=pittmiscpubs;g=documentingpitt;xc=1;xg=1;q1=lrdc;rgn=full%20text;idno=00c50130m;didno=00c50130m;view=image;seq=424;page=root;size=s;frm=frameset]

External links

* [http://www.lrdc.pitt.edu/ Website]
* [http://www.pitt.edu/ University of Pittsburgh Website]

References

*cite book | author=Alberts, Robert C. | title=Pitt: The Story of the University of Pittsburgh 1787-1987 | location=Pittsburgh | publisher=University of Pittsburgh Press | year=1987 | id=ISBN 0-8229-1150-7