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ED50333: Understanding learners and learning

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2018/9
Further information on owning departmentsOwning Department/School: Department of Education
Further information on credits Credits: 12      [equivalent to 24 CATS credits]
Further information on notional study hours Notional Study Hours: 240
Further information on unit levels Level: Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7)
Further information on teaching periods Period:
Modular (no specific semester)
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Summary: CW 100%
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Detail:
  • Coursework (CW 100%)
Further information on supplementary assessment Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Further information on requisites Requisites:
Further information on descriptions Description: Aims:

* To consider different perspectives on learning, on ways in which we learn and how learning can be supported;
* To present the major families of learning theories and consider their strengths and weaknesses;
* To recognise how approaches to teaching and instruction can be influenced by tacit and explicit learning theories;
* To debate how knowledge gained about learning and learners can be applied in practical educational and training contexts.

Learning Outcomes:
Having studied the unit, students will be able to:
* define learning from different theoretical and practical standpoints;
* explain the key ideas contributed by psychologists and others to our understanding of the process of learning;
* critically relate learning theories to their own ideas about learning;
* critically evaluate how research on brain structure and function contributes to our understanding of learning;
* identify individual differences in learning styles and preferences using a variety of approaches;
* promote in their own learners the ability to understand their own thinking and learning using metacognitive and other approaches and strategies;
* critically apply knowledge about learning and learners to their practice.

Skills:
Key Skills
1. Make critical use of the literature of the field of Education (T/F/A).
2. Make critical use of professional experience in the field of Education (T/F/A).
4. Analyse, interpret and critique findings and arguments (T/F/A).
9. Demonstrate self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems (T/F).
10. Evaluate research and variety of types of information and evidence critically, also making informed judgements in the absence of complete data (T/F/A)
12. Contribute to professional debate in the field of education (F).
13. Act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks at a professional level (F).
14. Communicate their conclusions clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences (T/F).
15. Evaluate their own academic and professional performance (T/F/A).
16. Manage change effectively and respond to changing demands (F).
17. Manage time, prioritise workloads and recognise and manage personal emotions and stress (F).
18. Develop new or higher level skill, for example in information technology (T/F/A).

Content:
The unit will address the following areas:
* major families of learning theories
* implicit theories of learning
* learning styles and preferences
* learning about learning
* brain-based learning
* motivation and other factors affecting learning
* learning in adults.
Further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

ED50333 is Compulsory on the following programmes:

Department of Education

ED50333 is Optional on the following programmes:

Department of Education

Notes: