This course will examine the major theories and models for understanding how students learn.  Attention will be given to the cognitive, affective and sensory/psychomotor domains and implications for learning through differing modalities.  Contributions of neuroscience to understanding adolescent research are explored, and structural barriers to learning such as stereotype threat are discussed.  Students will gain insights into the interplay of learner characteristics, prior experiences, the medium of instruction, and cultural influences and understand that learning is contextual, with no single theory universally applying to every student in every situation.

Learning Objectives and Outcomes:

Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs):

By the end of this program,

1. Analyze the parameters and critical features relevant to learning situations and students.
2. Examine the major theories and models for understanding how students learn, including behaviorism, cognitive information processing, observational and social learning, constructivism.
3. Evaluate the cognitive, affective and sensory/psychomotor domains and implications for learning through differing modalities.
4. Explore the contributions of neuroscience to adolescent brain research and understanding behavior to create a safe and respectful learning environment.
5. Articulate the structural barriers to learning such as stereotype threat, curriculum-home mismatch, and use of particularized materials and approaches.

Course Schedule and Topics

This course will cover the following topics in eight learning sessions, with one Unit per week.

Week 1: Unit 1 – Learning and Teaching in the Classroom

Week 2: Unit 2 – Behaviorism and the Information Processing Model in Classroom Practices

Week 3: Unit 3 – Observational, Social Learning, & Constructionism in the Classroom

Week 4: Unit 4 – Domains of Learning

Week 5: Unit 5 – The Adolescent Brain and Neuroscience

Week 6: Unit 6 – Barriers to Learning

Week 7: Unit 7 – Understanding Learner Characteristics

Week 8: Unit 8 – Multiple Approaches to Curriculum Design

Learning Guide

The following is an outline of how this course will be conducted, with suggested best practices for students.  The Learning Guides for all units open on the first day of class.  Please review all Learning Guides to access the readings, review assignments, etc.

Unit 1: Learning and Teaching in the Classroom

• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post, comment, and rate in the Discussion Forum)
• Complete and submit the Written Assignment
• Complete the Reflective Portfolio Assignment

Unit 2: Behaviorism and the Information Processing Model in Classroom Practices

• Peer assess Unit 1 Written Assignment
• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post, comment, and rate in the Discussion Forum)
• Complete and submit the Written Assignment
• Complete the Reflective Portfolio Assignment

Unit 3: Observational, Social Learning, & Constructionism in the Classroom

• Peer assess Unit 2 Written Assignment
• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post, comment, and rate in the Discussion Forum)
• Complete and submit the Written Assignment
• Meet with your assigned group and complete the pre-group work tasks outlined in the Group Work document

Unit 4: Domains of Learning

• Peer assess Unit 3 Written Assignment
• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post, comment, and rate in the Discussion Forum)
• Begin the Group Assignment
• Complete the Reflective Portfolio Assignment

Unit 5: The Adolescent Brain and Neuroscience

• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post, comment, and rate in the Discussion Forum)
• Complete and submit the Written Assignment
• Continue to work on the Group Assignment
• Complete the Reflective Portfolio Assignment

Unit 6: Barriers to Learning

• Peer assess Unit 5 Written Assignment
• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post, comment, and rate in the Discussion Forum)
• Complete and submit the Group Assignment
• Complete the Reflective Portfolio Assignment

 Unit 7: Understanding Learner Characteristics

• Peer assess Unit 6 Written Assignment
• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post, comment, and rate in the Discussion Forum)
• Complete and submit the Written Assignment
• Complete the Reflective Portfolio Assignment

Unit 8: Multiple Approaches to Curriculum Design

• Peer assess Unit 7 Written Assignment
• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post, comment, and rate in the Discussion Forum)
• Complete the Reflective Portfolio Assignment
• Complete and submit the anonymous Course Evaluation