Learning Research and Development Center

Co-founded in 1963 by Robert Glaser and J. Steele Gow,{{cite news | url=http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/pittsburgh/s_780348.html | title=Oakland professor shined light on education | first=Tony | last=LaRussa | newspaper=Pittsburgh Tribune-Review | date=2012-02-07 | access-date=2012-02-08 }}{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} it was among the first such centers in the world focusing on field of fundamental learning studies,{{cite news | url=http://www.chronicle.pitt.edu/media/pcc060530/GLASER_tribute_2006MAY30.html | title=An Academic Giant in Our Midst | first=Bruce | last=Steele | newspaper=Pitt Chronicle | publisher=University of Pittsburgh | date=2006-05-30 | access-date=2010-12-08}} and was selected for a program of the Cooperative Research Branch of the United States Office of Education as the first such center to provide a major concentration of effort in psychologically oriented education.{{cite journal | title=The learning research and development center at the University of Pittsburgh | last1=Glaser|first1=Robert | last2=Gow Jr.|first2= J. Steele | journal=American Psychologist | publisher=American Psychological Association | volume=19 | number=11 | pages=854–858 | doi=10.1037/h0043111 | issn=0003-066X | date=November 1964 }} Early funding support in 1968–1969 came by way of a $5.6 million grant (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|5.6|1968|r=1}}}} million today) from the U.S. Office of Education for facilities and a $1.2 million grant (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|1.2|1968|r=1}}}} million today) for program expansion from the National Science Foundation.{{cite book | chapter-url=http://digital.library.pitt.edu/cgi-bin/t/text/pageviewer-idx?c=pittmiscpubs;rgn=full%20text;idno=00c50130m;seq=394 |last=Alberts | first=Robert C. | title=Pitt: The Story of the University of Pittsburgh 1787–1987 | chapter="The Creative Eye" | publisher=University of Pittsburgh Press | year=1986 | pages=374–375| isbn=0-8229-1150-7 | access-date=2010-12-08}}{{cite news | url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/580093862.html?FMT=CITE&FMTS=CITE:AI | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104154320/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/580093862.html?FMT=CITE&FMTS=CITE:AI | url-status=dead | archive-date=November 4, 2012 | title=U. S. Will Give Pitt 5 Million for Center | newspaper=Chicago Tribune | page=B11 | date=1964-03-25 | access-date=2010-12-09}}

Currently composed of 26 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.{{cite news | url=http://www.chronicle.pitt.edu/?p=476 | title=Resnick to Step Down as LRDC Director in 2008 | first=Patricia Lomando | last=White | newspaper=Pitt Chronicle | publisher=University of Pittsburgh | date=2007-07-09 | access-date=2010-12-08}}{{cite news | url=http://www.chronicle.pitt.edu/?p=1497 | title=Charles Perfetti Appointed Director of the University's LRDC | first=Amanda | last=Leff |newspaper=Pitt Chronicle | publisher=University of Pittsburgh | date=2008-06-23 | access-date=2010-12-08}}

The LRDC hosts a number of research centers

• Pittsburgh Science of Learning Center (jointly with CMU)
• Institute for Learning
• University of Pittsburgh Center for Learning in Out-of-School Environments (UPCLOSE)
• Learning Policy Center

Funded in part from a $5.6 million grant awarded in 1969 from the U.S. Office of Education, the $7 million (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|7|1971|r=1}}}} million today) nine-story building was designed by Harrison & Abramovitz.{{cite book | chapter-url=http://digital.library.pitt.edu/cgi-bin/t/text/pageviewer-idx?c=pittmiscpubs;xc=1;rgn=full%20text;idno=00c50130m;seq=423;page=root;size=s;frm=frameset;| last=Alberts | first=Robert C. | title=Pitt: The Story of the University of Pittsburgh 1787–1987 | chapter=1976: The Turning Point | publisher=University of Pittsburgh Press | year=1986 | pages=403–404| isbn=0-8229-1150-7 | access-date=2010-12-08}} Winner of several architectural awards,{{cite web | url=http://www.tour.pitt.edu/tour-117.html | title=Tour of Campus: Learning Research and Development Center | publisher=University of Pittsburgh | access-date=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. The building was demolished in 2022 for the construction of a new student recreation center and the LRDC moved into the Murdoch Building on Forbes Avenue.{{Cite web |last=Levine |first=Marty |date=15 July 2021 |title=LRDC building inspires memories as it heads toward oblivion |url=https://www.utimes.pitt.edu/news/lrdc-building-inspires |access-date={{today}} |website=University Times}}

• High-definition fiber tracking

{{Reflist}}

• [http://www.lrdc.pitt.edu/ Learning Research and Development Center homepage]
• [http://www.tour.pitt.edu/tour/learning-research-and-development-center LRDC building on Pitt's virtual Campus Tour]

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Category:University of Pittsburgh buildings

Category:Schools of education in Pennsylvania

Category:Research institutes established in 1963

Category:1963 establishments in Pennsylvania

Category:Harrison & Abramovitz buildings