There are numerous curricular approaches currently used to educate and train medical students, and faculty are often confused about their place in the curriculum. Most of these curriculum innovations are developed and supported by research on teaching and learning. The objective of this presentation is to illustrate how instructors can become better teachers by applying the results from educational research. This presentation reviews the impact of Bloom's Taxonomy, Knowles' theory of the Adult Learner, and Kolb's 4-Stage Learning Cycle on the teaching and learning environments. Bloom's Taxonomy in the cognitive domain emphasizes the differences between Knowledge, Concept and Applications, Analysis, Synthesis and Evaluation, providing insight into what should be presented to learners in different degree programs. Knowles' theory of the Adult Learner emphasizes the importance of self-direction and active learning strategies, important in curriculum design. Kolb's learning cycle shows the reinforcing power of concrete experiences, reflective observation, abstract conceptualization and active experimentation applies the scientific method to the educational setting. This research suggests effective ways to use diverse learning environments, whether they are lectures, laboratories, or small groups. Educational theory underscores the essential role of the teacher: to create an effective learning environment, to provide direction for the learner, and to model effective learning behaviors.