Education Starts by Understanding Learning
Learning is a complex process. We can understand it from a behavioural perspective in terms of responding to environmental stimuli or observing and mimicking. We can also use biological perspectives to explain the neuronal aspects of learning. In this way, learning may be viewed as strengthening connections between neurons and memory could be seen as strengthening particular synapses.
Our brains begin to mature in the womb. They continue to mature throughout our lives, but everyone’s brain does not mature at the same rate. Our bodies develop at different rates. Children reach puberty at different ages, so our brains are no different. A group of children of the same chronological ages will not necessarily mean that they will all have the same readiness and ability to learn the same topic, skill or idea. Teachers and parents should be aware of this and use this to design strategies to work with children.
Children all learn in different ways. The maturity of a child's brain is a factor in learning differences, but it is not quite that simple. How a child learns depends on their age, brain maturity and level of development. There is also an influence from temperament, environment and genetics.
Effective Learning Needs to be Long Term
People who fund education (e.g. politicians, administrators, and even parents), tend to have a focus on "results" when considering education. They want value for the money being spent; and they will most often measure results in terms of how well students are being assessed. The problem with exams and other assessments though is that they may only be measuring short or intermediate term memory. To get a proper evaluation of any education, it may require time and patience; and this is a fact that is often just not understood.
COURSE STRUCTURE
There are 7 lessons in this course:
- Introduction -Development & Learning Theory
- Piaget’s Theory of Cognitive Development; Schemes; Assimilation and Accommodation; Equilibration; Piaget’s Stages of Development.
- Behavioural Learning
- The Evolution of Behavioural Theories of Learning; Thorndike’s Theory of the Law of Effect; Skinner’s Theory of Operant Conditioning; Principles of Behavioural Learning; Reinforcers; Positive and Negative Reinforcement; The Premack Principle
- Information Processing
- Information Processing Theory; A Model of Information Processing; Perception; Gestalt Psychology; Attention; Short-Term Memory; Long-Term Memory; Division of Long-Term Memory
- Memory Retention & Loss
- Remembering and Forgetting; Interference; Inhibition and Facilitation ; Primacy and Recency; Learning Strategies
- Individual Needs
- Effective Instruction;The QAIT Model; Quality of Instruction; Appropriate Levels of Instruction; Incentive;Time; Between-Class Ability Grouping; Within Class Ability Grouping; Effective Use of Ability Groups; Mastery Learning; Outcomes-Based Education; Individualised Instruction
- Constructivist Learning
- What is the Constructivist View; Top Down or Bottom Up Processing; Generative Learning; Discovery Learning; Reception Learning; Activating Prior Knowledge
- Motivation
- Intrinsic Motivation; Extrinsic Motivation; Factors Affecting Motivation
- Motivational Theories (Behavioural Learning Theory; Human Needs Theory; Dissonance Theory; Cognitive Dissonance Theory; Personality Theory; Attribution Theory; Expectancy Theory); Improving Motivation (Nurturing Interest/Curiosity; Providing Incentive to Learn)
Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.
Aims
- Discuss theories of development and learning.
- Explain behavioural theories of learning
- Describe how Information Processing Model Works
- Describe processes involved in memory loss and retention
- Describe different methods of effective instruction to cater for individual needs.
- Explain the relevance of constructivist learning in education
- Differentiate definitions of motivation and the application of motivation to learning
What Are the Advantages of Studying Psychology With ACS Distance Education?
- You can start at any time to suit you.
- They are self-paced.
- You can study when and where suits you. They are flexible to fit in around you and your lifestyle.
- It is not just a course, it is a package of learning that includes – course notes, tutor feedback, self-assessment tests, research tasks and assignments.
- Our tutors are all experts in their field, with years of experience in psychology and counselling.
- They are also keen and enthusiastic about their subject and enjoy working with students to improve their knowledge and skills.
- Courses are also updated regularly to meet the demands of the changing needs for knowledge and to keep our courses up to date.
What do our students think about the course?
My tutor is very positive and encouraging. The entire staff of ACS has been incredibly helpful and kind.
Yvonne
What Next?
Learn more about the theories of educational psychology and how they can be practically used in the educational environment.
Help children to improve their learning experience.
Learn to motivate students and encourage them to want to learn.
Use the theories and principles of psychology to improve your work with students.
Increase your own job and career prospects in the process.
You can enrol today by clicking the “Enrol Now” button above.
Or
Click here to Contact a Psychology Tutor.
Or Request a Prospectus Here.