EDUC40330: Psychological Perspectives on Learning

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• To develop an informed understanding of how learning is studied from a psychological perspective and how psychological research can contribute to better describe, explain and influence learning as a life-long process.

• Building on a basic understanding of principles of a scientific approach to studying learning processes , this module will focus on key psychological theories, models, and constructs relevant to describing, explaining and influencing learning as a life-long process in general.
• It aims to provide a solid foundation from which to study learning as a psychological phenomenon by introducing a range of learning-relevant cognitive and non-cognitive constructs and by exploring their role across different educational settings.
• The role of psychological theorising within a wider educational perspective will be discussed and the mediating nature of culture and context will be considered. Common misconceptions and myths that can lead to suboptimal educational practice will be identified.
• A critical analysis of relevant research and its implications for practice will form one of the major themes of the module.

Subject-specific Knowledge:

• At the end of the module, successful students will have:
• acquired fundamental knowledge of how learning can be studied from a psychological perspective;
• gained and refined their understanding of the significance and limitations of various conceptual and methodological approaches to studying learning processes and how these can help inform educational practice;
• extended their understanding of the range of factors affecting the process and outcome of learning. These include factors related to the person (i.e. the learner), the learning task, and the learning environment (e.g. situation).

Subject-specific Skills:

• Successful students will be able to:
• analyse complex situations and appreciate how these are likely to be reflected in the context of various conceptualisations of learning;
• interrogate the assumptions underpinning theories, models, and empirical research related to learning;
• develop informed arguments concerning human learning in different contexts using appropriate terminology;
• identify discrepancies between educational practice and conceptually informed and empirically based research evidence.

Key Skills:

• Successful students will hone their skills:
• to learn independently including the capability to plan, manage, and to reflect on their own learning (e.g. working to deadlines);
• to further develop informed criticality and to construct and sustain a reasoned argument;
• to use written and spoken communication skills effectively (and efficiently) with appropriate use of specialist vocabulary, underpinned by knowledge and understanding;
• to retrieve complex information of diverse kinds in a structured and systematic way, including the use of a variety of library and IT resources.

• Learning in this module is facilitated through lectures and seminar teaching and is supported by resources on the virtual learning environment (VLE). Directed, yet independent work is an important part of the module. Lectures expose to and help familiarise students with concepts, ideas and arguments. Seminars and independent study provide opportunities to deepen their understanding and to apply their knowledge to a range of professionally practical relevant contexts. Activities in lectures and seminars include a variety of active learning approaches including discussion, group work, presentations, question and answer sessions, and individual tasks.
• Success in the continuous engagement with the learning content of this module is assessed by quick short answer or multiple-choice quizzes at the beginning of the teaching sessions. These quizzes relate to the learning content of the previous sessions and the relevant readings.
• Preparation for the assignment involves students in wide reading and critical reflection on the topics discussed in the module. The success with which students have acquired knowledge and a critical understanding of psychological processes related to learning in educational contexts is assessed via a 3000 word written assignment. In addition to verbal feedback given to students' contributions during class teaching sessions (i.e lectures and seminars) but also via online tools (shared documents or discussion boards), the preparation for the summative assessment is supported by the opportunity to receive formative feedback on an outline of the assignment.

Verbal feedback is given to students' contribution during class teaching sessions. Tutors can be contacted for individual help. Oral formative feedback is provided on active contributions in teaching sessions and written formative feedback is provided on the academic outline for the summative assignment.

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