Psychology of Learning and Learning Styles

Course details

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

No formal qualifications are required. However, all modules are taught at university level and students should be able to read, write and speak English fluently. Students new to psychology will benefit from undertaking some preparatory reading as detailed below.

AIMS

To review psychological theory that describes and explains human learning in adulthood and to explore ways in which such theory may be applied to support learning in a range of settings.

OBJECTIVES

•Locate the question of how we learn within the discipline of psychology.

• Explain and evaluate the principle theories which can contribute to our understanding of 'how we learn'.

• Explore the range of factors within the learner and their environment that affect learning.

• Discuss ways in which the psychological perspective on learning may be applied in practice, particularly in professional settings.

• Give an overview of the research methods used within psychology including a basic evaluation of the advantages and disadvantages of each.

• Identify the ethical issues when conducting research (with particular reference to harm) and the issues that arise when trying to generalise results (for example across cultures).

• Support students to take part in the assessment process.

• Support and develop students' study skills, including note taking and essay writing.

• Build students' confidence in presenting their own ideas and in critical thinking.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of this course you will be able to:

• Explain the process by which expertise is developed and apply this to some area of your own life. 

• Discuss the range of factors which influence creative problem-solving.

• Explain the social factors and individual differences which influence problem-solving and  decision-making. 

• Explain factors which may confound problem-solving and decision-making and identify possible strategies for avoiding common sources of bias and error. 

• Discuss possible applications of theories of problem-solving, decision-making and expertise.

• Identify current approaches and debates, focusing primarily on information processing models.

• Recognise a range of research methods that might be appropriate to the study of this area of psychology (identifying strengths and weaknesses of core methodologies, including both qualitative as well as quantitative approaches). 

• Identify the ethical issues when conducting psychological research (with particular consideration of harm). 

• Demonstrate an appropriate awareness of cultural considerations in the evaluation of theory and research. 

• Think critically about the subjects covered.

• Present your own ideas about issues addressed on the course.

• Discuss and implement a range of strategies to support your learning.

• Successfully plan and write essays or other assignments which have been set to support your learning on this course. 

CONTENT

During the course we are likely to address most of the following topics:

• Principles from humanistic psychology that explain aspects of learning (i.e. concern for human growth and the necessary conditions for this to occur). 

• Principles from cognitive psychology that explain aspects of learning (e.g. memory, schemas and theories of learning). 

• Principles from behavioural psychology that explain aspects of learning.

• Applications of these principles to real life situations.

• Student motivation, its effects on learning and how it can be enhanced.

• Other features of individual differences that may be relevant to learning (e.g. intelligence, personality and affective factors, sociocultural factors, skills students bring with them for learning and problem-solving,). 

• Group dynamics and their effect on both learner and teachers.

• Learning styles: an overview of theories and a more in-depth evaluation and application of one or two theories.