Learning: current knowledge and the future

Some empirically based statements about learning are presented. The basic c onclusion is that most of that knowledge will still be valid in the future and that some is dependent on various cultural factors that need to be furt her explored. Two research areas that ought to be encouraged for the future are presented. One addresses cognitive processing and professional develop ment of physicians. The other one deals with the development of students' u nderstanding a concepts. Examples of how students retain their wrong unders tanding of concepts despite training and good assessment results are presen ted, as well as findings by Schon, Mann, and Slotnick.